Payday loan debt collection scams happening

A payday loans debt collection scam has been victimizing consumers in Illinois. Con artists posing as debt collectors have somehow obtained the phone numbers and personal data of current and previous payday loans no faxing borrowers. Lawsuits and jail time are the typical threats con artists for payday loans collectors use. They call on the phone to get a hold of the consumers. Lisa Madigan is the Illinois Attorney General that issued a consumer alert. This was done because the payday loan debt scam is prominent. Post resource – Be on the lookout for payday loans debt collection scams by Personal Money Store.

Intimidation and threats used by debt collection scammers

In recent weeks, the Illinois attorney general’s office has fielded a marked increase in consumer complaints about phone calls from bogus payday loan debt collectors. Consumer Affairs reports that individuals who have gotten payday loans no fax scam calls say they’ve taken out payday loans, most often from online payday loan lenders, but have paid the debt on time. The info known by the caller contains social security numbers, employer, account with your bank numbers and names. Victims think the scammers are real because of all the information the caller has. To get money out of the victims’ bank accounts, the scammers just have to use threats and intimidation, like lawsuits or jail. Lawsuits or jail are just two of the threats and intimidation, that are used by the scammers. They use this to get withdrawals made from victims’ bank accounts. Sometimes, consumers are tricked to sign promissory notes and fax them to the bogus collectors.

This stops payday lenders from getting business

Illinois payday loans no faxing customers aren’t the only ones getting harassed by debt collection scammers. Wallet Pop reports the payday loans no faxing scam calls have surfaced in Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Indiana and other states around the nation. Madigan said the scammers say they’re from a variety of bogus companies, like Morgan and Associates, Federal Bureau of Investigators, DNR Recovery, DNI Recovery, Legal Accounts Association, Department of Law and Enforcement, CashNet USA, America Legal Services, Cash till payday and ACS. The names are all fake, well, for probably the most part. However, CashNet USA is real. On its website, CashNet USA has posted a warning about the scam.

Not legal to do debt collection harassment

Under the FTC’s Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, it is illegal for debt collectors to call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.. Threats such as lawsuits or arrest aren’t things they can do. Also, they cannot ask for more money than owed or tell a third party about a consumer’s debt. The payday loan scam made it so victims had to pay hundreds of dollars. These reports came in to the Madigan office in many reports. Illinois TV station WIFR reports that Madigan offered some advice for people if they’re contacted by the scammers.

People don’t go to jail for failing to pay a debt in this country.

Never give out any personal information over the telephone, especially bank account numbers or credit card numbers.

When in doubt, ask the debt collector to produce documentation that qualifies the debt they seek to collect.

Contact the original creditor to confirm if the debt has been paid. If not, confirm that the debt was sold to a third party collector before making a payment.

Discover more information on this subject

Consumer Affairs

consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/08/il_payday_lending.html

Wallet Pop

walletpop.com/blog/2010/08/26/warning-issued-over-bogus-payday-loan-debt-collector-calls/

WIFR

wifr.com/news/headlines/101497999.html?ref=999

Controversy launches over most recent Medal of Honor game

The video game series “Medal of Honor” has been in need of a reboot after a successful run. Nevertheless, the newest game within the series has ignited some fiery debate. The games are set in World War II, as a first person shooter. This will be the first not set in that war. The war in Afghanistan is the setting for the new one. However, the video game in multiplayer mode pits players as either coalition (American or British) against opposing players as the Taliban in “Medal of Honor 2010.” The British Secretary of Defense thinks the game should be banned.

Bar needed by Fox

Liam Fox, the Defense Secretary (“defense” gets a “c” in British English) for the United Kingdom, has called for the game to be banned. He would like to see retailers refuse to carry it, according to The Guardian. Clearly, he also doesn’t think anyone should purchase it. The controversy stems from the multi-player mode, where players can choose game avatars from the Taliban. Others have joined within the protest against shooting at United States of America or U.K. forces, even if it’s only in online gaming. It seems almost sad to contemplate that this seems almost like it was inevitable; since plenty of video games have taken place in Iraq and Afghan conflicts, such as “Call of Duty,” it would logically follow that this was the only way to top any of it, which is a callous prospect, to say the least.

Opinion worth provided by EA

The game is by Electronic Arts, and this version of “Medal of Honor” is the first not to take place in World War II. The PR Representative for EA said to AOL News that most individuals take opposing roles in play as kids. Police are opposed to by criminals, cowboys must contend with Indians and their own weak offenses in the post season, and in the video game, “someone’s gotta be the Taliban.” Opponents also observe that Word War II is removed from modern history by a long time, and thus games in which individuals could be Nazis in multiplayer are less harmful as a result.

After all, it is still just a video game

You will find two universal outcomes to any controversial video game. A fantastic deal of people decrying the video game precedes massive sales, and just remember what happened with “Mortal Kombat” and “Grand Theft Auto” if you want an example. Sadly, it appears that given the number of games taking place in the very same current conflicts, that this exact circumstance was inevitable. Steven Spielberg actually helped to create the first “Medal of Honor.” That first video game had some multiplayer characters that were interesting as well. William Shakespeare and a German Shepherd were un-lockable characters, as was a Velociraptor from “Jurassic Park”. Remember, this is the game where you can kill Nazis as a dinosaur, so maybe you shouldn’t take it too seriously.

Further reading

AOL News

aolnews.com/nation/article/new-video-game-will-let-you-play-as-the-taliban/19588413

Guardian

guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2010/aug/23/liam-fox-medal-of-honor-ban

More drops in interest rates for mortgages

When looking at purchasing a home, now would be a fantastic time. Foreclosed properties that have discounted prices are for sell right now. Not only that, but a lot of people are seeking to sell. Inventory needs to be moved. As luck would have it, mortgage interest rates for 30 year fixed mortgages are at an all-time low. Now is the time to get low interest mortgage loans. Mortgage modification is another option to consider. With rates this low, it’s a good idea. Source for this article – Mortgages becoming seriously low interest loans by Personal Money Store.

Mortgage rates hit record low

The 30 year fixed rate mortgage rates are lower than they ever are. 1971 was when the data began being recorded and this week, mortgages have gone down from 4.36 percent to 4.42 percent, says Bloomberg. These aren’t quick unsecured loans we are looking at. Keep in mind that when considering these are being compared to loans just a few years ago. After all, it is for a 30 year mortgage. A 15 year mortgage is less. It is about 3.86 percent. Mortgages for 30 years may continue at that rate. That would mean that they’d be at the 3.86 percent rate by Thanksgiving.

Plenty of inventory to move

Since 1983, you will find more homes needing to be sold than ever. The real estate market has a high of homes for sale. In fact, it is a 27 year all time high. That means less individuals want to purchase homes. According to Reuters, home resales are at a 15 year low, and more people are getting refinancing if they can. Now it appears impossible to get credit from money lenders. Also, if you have poor credit, you are able to say goodbye to any hope you had at getting a home.

Purchase cheap and sell expensive

For those who have money and credit, now is a time you need to consider getting. This will help you greatly. Amazing houses are sold for very cheap right about now. At these rates, you may never have to refinance or even have to think about mortgage modification.

Further reading

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67P30X20100826

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-26/mortgage-rates-for-30-year-loans-decline-to-record-4-36-freddie-mac-says.html

Record-low interest rates fatten banks, hinder saving, investing

Debt cutting is popular now with numerous wanting more money in savings. The Federal Reserve, in an effort to keep the economy from a double-dip recession, is keeping the benchmark interest rate artificially low. Banks are getting fairly rich off the low interest rates. The low interest rate has created a wide disparity between what financial institutions can collect from borrowers and what they have to pay depositors for their money. Some analysts are saying that while Fed monetary policies shore up the banks it bailed out with billions, they are an “invisible tax” on savers, investors, pensions and endowments.

Why conserve anymore?

Saving doesn’t matter much anymore. Savings rates are the lowest ever recorded. Bloomberg did a study with Market Rate Insight suggesting that 0.99 percent was about how much in July was paid towards interest on checking, savings, money market and certificates. Market Rates measured anything that was a rate or bonus paid by 1,300 banks and credit unions in the whole American country. The report also tracked savings rate fluctuations between Jan. 2004 and July 2010. When the national unemployment rate goes up, savings rates go down. Savings interest rates go up after unemployment goes down.

Banks set up roadblocks to debt reduction

The Federal reserve is keeping interest rates at almost zero. This is helping banks but leaving average citizens out to dry. Debt is hard to settle for those trying to save and have less debt. Low interest rates effect mostly those people who have fixed incomes. Larry Doyle at the Daily Market reports this. You don’t get any money out of savings accounts. Meanwhile, it costs credit card issuing banks next to nothing to borrow money when they continue to raise interest rates on consumer credit.

Invisible tax

The Fed’s interest rate policy may be causing more economic difficulties than it’s solving, according to Gretchen Morgenson at the New York Times. Morgenson talked to Todd E. Petzel of Offit Capital Advisors who gave his opinion. He thinks that about $350 billion a year is spent on this “invisible tax” that the Fed has created. He worked hard to get that number. He began with the $14 trillion lent by the treasury with the super low interest. Rates have averaged 3 percent over time. That makes current rates too low by 2.5 points. $350 billion a year in loss to savers, investors, pensions and endowments is what 2.5 percent of $14 trillion adds up to. The money lost is more than 2 percent of gross domestic product and almost 3 percent of disposable personal income.

Find more details on this subject

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-24/u-s-banks-paying-depositors-record-low-interest-rates-market-rates-says.html

Daily Markets

dailymarkets.com/stock/2010/08/24/invisible-taxes-loan-sharking-usury/

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/22/business/22gret.html?_r=2 and amp;ref=gretchen_morgenson

Apple seeks patent to stop anybody jailbreaking iPhones

Jailbreaking your iPhone is currently legal according to U.S. copyright officials, but that does not mean that Apple is happy to sit back when users break free of their proprietary corporate mold and utilize the full potential of the handheld device. The Register made reports on the patent apple seeks that will be “covering an elaborate series of methods.” This will make sure to “protect iPhone owners from thieves” or anyone else a user wants from their iPhone. Jailbreaking can be a bit harder with the patent Apple wants called “Systems and Methods for Identifying Unauthorized Users of an Electronic Device,” making sure jailbreaking locks down an iPhone.

Jailbreaking leaving personal data accessible to anyone

Apple has a fantastic story when trying to convince people not to jailbreak their iPhones. This is that personal details is accessible to identity thieves when an iPhone has been jailbroken. Apple’s proposed patent identifies numerous ways that unauthorized users could activate a jailbroken iPhone’s camera remotely, or track geotagging info and other private data. Users are told by Apple the patent will keep them safe. If it is approved, Apple will be allowed to lock down iPhones that are jailbroken.

Apple just like Big Brother

If a user’s iPhone instantly shows a rise in memory usage, The Register suggests, then Apple could identify the phone as having been jailbroken, as such activity is, in Apple’s estimation, consistent with hacking programs. Unlocking an iPhone (opening it up so that it could be used on cellular networks other than AT and T) would also be detectable if Apple’s patent is approved. ”Thieves in transit” is what Apple is trying to detect when tapping an iPhone’s accelerometer. This helps Apple determine, according to the Register, which iPhones have “fraudulent use.” Thus, the company believes that such new security actions as required voice-print identification is necessary, although technical experts and consumer rights groups are having a field day with that idea.

Who can active your iPhone camera with this patent?

This patent would make it possible for Apple to activate your iPhone camera. Imagine yourself in a world where Steve Jobs can see what you are doing at any time. Do you really think it is a good idea to let Apple have the control of being able to turn your cameras on and see what you are doing at any time? Steve Jobs might have an opinion on your situation.

Additional reading

The Register

theregister.co.uk/2010/08/20/apple_jailbreak_patent/

Fly for less with Hipmunk

Adam Goldstein started a summer project which might just be the best way for online flight search called Hipmunk. CNN Money explains that Goldstein had some help from Steve Huffman, Reddit co-founder, when doing this new program. In strokes of brilliant color and user-friendly interface arrangement, Goldstein may have just painted his way to the big time.

Online travel gets hip with Hipmunk

As opposed to a uninteresting text list of flights, Hipmunk dresses the entire process in color and arranges flights on an easy-to-analyze grid. Just this week there was a launch. Reviews are really great in just that short time. TechCrunch makes clear, “When you see the results you’ll never want to see flight results in any other format.” Lifehacker has similar praise for the “fantastic” visual interface, which is gratifying to Goldstein, as that his team spent an excellent deal of time on that aspect of Hipmunk. There’s no clutter of text and buttons, just a color-coded arrangement of airlines. A specific grid can be looked at closer effortlessly. All one has to do is zoom in a little closer.

They just use ‘a small, cute animal and a good logo’

Goldstein and Huffman met with a number of online flight booking online websites before settling on a deal with Orbitz, one of one of the most popular online travel aggregators. Orbits and Hipmunk work together to book flights. Hipmunk books it through Orbitz making both win. When going to Twitter, the bluebird is acknowledged as the logo. Hipmunk is about the exact same considering the chipmunk in flight goggles that will soon be recognizable. Goldstein’s girlfriend, according to CNN, chose the mascot.

“She said, ‘If you pick a small, cute animal and a good logo you’ll never go wrong,’” Goldstein says.

Storing acorns for winter

Hipmunk has been evolving a bit. It is trying to improve each day with new ideas. Some of the things it’d like to improve would be stopping spam and expanding search functions. It’s more likely that hotels and auto rentals can be added on. It could be interesting to see how Hipmunk maintains its Zen-like design as additional content is added to the user experience. It is much less frustrating to search for a flight now though.

Additional reading

CNN

money.cnn.com/2010/08/19/technology/hipmunk/

Hipmunk

hipmunk.com/

Vikings finally get Brett Favre to come to practice

The modern version of the story “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” may as well be “The Boy Who Cried Brett Favre Will Retire.” Nevertheless, Brett Favre really has gone to practice with the Minnesota Vikings. A visit with other Vikings has turned that worm. The NFL legend, who holds multiple records in football, hasn’t said if he’s there entirely for good, but Favre showing up for practice indicates he probably will play this season.

Minnesota welcomes back Brett Favre

After months of speculation for the third time already, Brett Favre decided to not retire and head to practice. On Tuesday, Aug. 17, Favre stepped off a plane and joined his teammates on the practice field, having missed yet an additional training camp, as outlined by ESPN. Brett Favre didn’t need any stinking training camp last year. The Vikings lived up to their title, rampaging around the NFL and utterly ruined a pathetic Dallas Cowboys squad within the first game of the post-season. Favre picked up an ankle injury within the heartbreaking loss to New Orleans within the NFC title game in overtime.

Fellow Vikings help him to decide

A visit from teammates may have made the main difference in convincing Favre to come back. Some fellow Vikings went down to Hattiesburg, Miss., to Favre’s home to help him make his decision. Favre was visited by Steve Hutchinson, Ryan Longwell, and also the holder of arguably the pre-eminent mullet of our age, Jared Allen. They must have made quite the argument, because he flew back to Minnesota with them.

The only grandfather within the league to make a lot

If Favre plays this season, as outlined by USA Today, he stands to earn $20 million. However, he is going to have to earn every penny. The opening eight games include a match against the Green Bay Packers, and they are going to want revenge. Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback for the Packers, is blossoming into a first rate quarterback, perhaps even within the Favre tradition, and knocking off Favre at the helm of the Vikings, one of their bitter rivals, would be a victory to savor.

Find more information on this subject

USA Today

content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/08/vikings-bernard-berrian-brett-favre-addressed-team-on-wednesday-morning-committed-to-winning-title/1

ESPN

sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp10/news/story?id=5470904

U.S. economy gets just a little help from the video gaming industry

Pong and Pac Man were the hopping video games when they first came out, although that has changed. Economists incorporated decided to do a study for Entertainment Software Association that was called “Video Games in the 21st Century: The 2010 Report." This study showed that in 2009, there was $ 5 billion added to help the economy from the video game industry. There was a 10 percent growth between 2005 and 2009 for the video game industry. This was good for the economy considering seven times the growth of the economy was had in this time frame. Source for this article – Video game industry gives the U.S. economy a needed boost by Personal Money Store.

Jobs made possible because of video games

ESA CEO Michael Gallagher said in a press release that job creation in the video game industry has continued at a “rapid pace,” when making “an important contribution to our nation’s economy when stimulating technological innovations and expanding the impact of games on our daily lives.” The survey shows us that 32,000 have jobs with video games usually with an average salary of $ 89,781. More than 120,000 people have jobs because of video games.

California is where you discover them all

Video game workers largely live in California. Compensation was a big part of their budget in 2009. $ 2.6 billion was given to direct and indirect employees. The state benefited from this too. $ 2.1 billion in revenue was received.

Texas has 13,613 employees with Washington at 11,225. Between 2005 and 2009, Virginia increased their video game industry. There was a 77 percent increase.

Value of entertainment

A recession means spending budget cuts in families. Generally entertainment is a part of this. Consoles cost between $ 200 and $ 500 for video game systems. This is why seems like expensive to work with video games. Also, games themselves will still cost between $ 20 and $ 60. But if a consumer can derive someplace between 40 and 100 hours of playtime from a well-constructed game, the price seems much more reasonable, particularly when compared with more passive styles of entertainment like movies, the price of which has skyrocketed in recent years. Video games can really help struggling kids. It helps with development and hand-eye coordination. Plus the video game industry has had optimistic effects on the U.S. economy.

Further reading

Theesa

theesa.com/facts/pdfs/VideoGames21stCentury_2010.pdf

Washington State Lt. Gov. Brad Owen knows ‘Pong’

youtube.com/watch?v=M-b9wEww9MA

Remote Possibilities or the benefits of remote oil filters

There are modifications or additions you are able to make to your car for regular maintenance to be a lot easier on you. Oil changes can be made easier with installing a remote oil filter. The basics of it are to install an adapter kit and mounting bracket for the new filter, with to and from hoses running to and from the new location of the oil filter. It can make changing oil a lot easier, and if done properly you will find virtually no risks. Source for this article – Remote Possibilities – whether to get a remote oil filter by Car Deal Expert.

Oily oily oxen free

There are not numerous cars, be they auto, truck, SUV, van or motorcycle, that don’t have a remote oil filter kit available. A remote oil filter kit is not terribly expensive either. It will likely cost less than $ 100. Even when you have a mechanic install it, the job is not complicated or time consuming and shouldn’t cost much. A bypass valve is installed, and send/return hoses run from the original oil filter location to where the new oil filter and mounting bracket are located.

Very little downside

There is no downside to installing a remote oil filter. There is the initial cost, but there’s a payoff is for the DIY auto repair crowd. All it does is make things easier on your mechanic, if you don’t change your own oil. If you do, it makes oil changes easier. The only thing you will have to crawl under the hood for is to remove and replace the oil drain plug. You need to be changing the oil about each and every 3,000 miles anyway. The filter is changed just like normal.

The good the bad and also the oily

Putting in a remote oil filter is not terribly complex or expensive. It won’t save you a lot of cash, but simply makes your own maintenance just a little easier. It does minimize the time you need to be under the automobile, and it can be an advantage if you drive a car or other vehicle that is low to the ground.

Working on getting debt consolidation

Many want to divest their debt while the economy is so bad. Trying to get a better rate of interest with a mortgage loan modification is an idea when numerous nevertheless pay off their additional debts by just getting a second mortgage. The market started to tank making numerous of the strategies fail miserably. True debt settlement relief may be harder than you think, and you also have to be very careful about who you contract to help you.

The wrong idea of fixing debt with more debt?

Many people had credit card debt, or other outstanding debts, they’d pay by applying for a second mortgage or refinancing before the economy tanked. Borrowing from Peter to pay back Paul is what is happening here. Having mortgage rates less than 5 percent by refinancing can be very helpful right now though. Newsday reports that only those with good credit can actually do this. So for those who have any negative dings on your credit score, you may not be able to get a cash till payday from your spending budget with a lower rate if you can’t qualify.

Debt counselors as wolves

You also have to be careful of who you go through for debt consolidation. Getting a personal loan and doing it yourself can often times be better. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling, and other non-profit organizations, help numerous to do this. You might not have to get paydayloans when getting out of debt since this will cost you nothing. Also, getting a debt consolidation loan at a higher interest rate than the debt you already have because of your credit rating guarantees paying more in the end.

FTC to tackle dirty debt practices

Financial reform has been in the air for some time. One of the big projects for the Federal Trade Commission is quashing crooked debt relief services. According to the Washington Post, a debt consolidation service can’t charge a fee in advance and has to disclose all potential costs to customers.

Further reading on this topic

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/29/AR2010072905958.html

Newsday

newsday.com/classifieds/real-estate/how-to-refinance-your-home-with-low-interest-rates-1.2200971

Personal finance tricks to help you avoid debt

Avoiding debt is going to be your best change when dealing with debt troubles. Debt is piled high for many with all of the student loans, credit cards and car loans taken out. You are able to change now if you have not been one to mess up your personal finance already. Just a few things can very much help someone with personal finance issues. Figure out what those things are and focus to them. Just being more financially literate about credit card debt, saving money and purchasing wholesale can get you out of debt problems.

Starting debt proof living

Financial literacy could be gained with one very basic thing which is understanding credit card debt and avoiding it. Practical Money Skills explains what the “power of 50″ is. Eight years will be required to pay off a card that has a $ 3,000 balance with 18 percent APR which only required a 2 percent minimum pay of $ 60 a month. What’s worse, you will pay $ 5,780, not the $ 3,000 you figured you were spending when. But if you are able to pay an additional $ 50 per month for a total payment of $ 110 you will pay it faster and leave less money for the credit card company to charge interest on. The result: the debt is gone in 3 years and more than $ 1,800 in interest payments has been saved.

Save with a little at a time

Saving money is easier than you think. An emergency fund should be set aside to conserve money in things like car repairs. You are more likely to enjoy something you’ve bought if you have worked on saving money to get it rather than just swiping a credit card. The best way to succeed, says ehow.com, is to start small and work up. You are able to simply pay $ 20 to savings every time you get paid. You’ll be amazed at how easily it adds up. If you reuse water bottles or make your own coffee, the amount you save might be a big amount. Add up how much you spend on bottles of water and coffee in a week. You may end up with some more money through it.

Purchasing at wholesale to stop with a middle man

Take out the middle man selling you the food by simply getting wholesale. Purchase wholesale and conserve money at essorment.com with its tips. It could be as easy as calling local wholesalers and asking if they allow the general public to shop. Sample sales can really help when you’re trying to get wholesale stuff. Offer your friends who are interior designers, contractors or beauticians some kind of exchange to take you wholesale buying with them next time they go. And always shop around. Even a simple torn box might mean a price markdown. Just do your research and work just a little, and you’ll be able to discover fairly great prices.

More on this topic

Practical Money Skills

practicalmoneyskills.com/personalfinance/creditdebt/debt/

Ehow

ehow.com/how_2205105_start-saving-money-have-none.html

Essortment

essortment.com/career/tipsbuyingwh_twqf.htm

Eat Pray Love movie reviews don't exactly worship the ground it walks on

The New York Times Bestsellers list was home to Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert for a while. They made a movie out of it, starring Julia Roberts. The authorities weren’t impressed. Critics also took Sex and also the City 2, the previous sort-of-feminist travel film this year, out back and beat the film like a red headed stepchild. Article resource – No positive Eat Pray Love movie reviews to be found by Newystype.com.

Another person’s self discovery is incredibly scintillating

The book is part self help guide, spiritual quest, and travelogue about how Elizabeth Gilbert dumped her husband out of blue to go travel and rediscover herself. She told her publisher about the idea before the film, and financed it with a huge advance she got for it. The film stars Julia Roberts, James Franco, Billy Crudup, and Javier Bardem, and it was directed by Ryan Murphy.

Not many glowing Eat Pray Love movie reviews

On popular film review site Rotten Tomatoes, the film had a rating of 36 percent on the day of release. A review from PRI’s The World by Beth Accomando said “more like eat, pray for it to be over, gag.” Adam Graham from the Detroit News said the film amounted to “an ridiculous fantasy for rich people.” The Chicago Sun Times and famed critic Roger Ebert was not amused. He said to grasp the impact of the movie, “I guess you’ve to belong to the narcissistic subculture of Woo-Woo.” In the Christian Science Monitor, Andy Klein writes that as Robert’s character learns meditation, it “involves emptying her mind – which shouldn’t take much heavy lifting.”

You’ve to be critical to critique

Sometimes critics love to be dogs in a manger, but there’s a underlying theme within the negative reviews. The book was popular for a reason. It has a optimistic message, about getting in touch with one’s spiritual side. That said, that does not appeal to everyone. It may actually have worked better in print. That sort of theme for a book may inspire some while boring others to tears. Eat, Pray, Love, seems to be so good and uplifting that it becomes banal.

Read more on this topic here

Rotten Tomatoes

rottentomatoes.com/m/eat_pray_love/

Roger Bert

rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100811/REVIEWS/100819999

SC Monitor

csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Movies/2010/0813/Eat-Pray-Love-movie-review

OS copyright violations from Google on Android from Oracle

While Google Android smartphone sales may have passed the iPhone worldwide in the second quarter of 2010, it doesn’t take an Oracle to see that there’s trouble ahead for the company whose unofficial motto is “Do no evil.”. As outlined by the Wall Street Journal, the Android OS violates Oracle’s Java copyrights which is why Oracle Corp. is suing Google Inc.. The suit makes it seem like Google’s founder, previous Sun chief technology officer, Eric Schmidt, and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison are enemies. Oracle became the owner of the company that made Java, Sun, in January 2010. Today, Java is used within the Android smartphone as well as hundreds of other devices.

Lawsuit from Oracle wants damages paid for

According to the WSJ, the Oracle lawsuit seeks “unspecific damages and an injunction against ‘continued acts of infringement’ by Google.” Google has not officially responded to Oracle’s lawsuit yet, but it had been widely assumed that it was allowed to use free open-source Java licenses, as Sun traditionally authorized use of such licenses. There was no official Oracle/Google deal that was announced. If an injunction against Google is given by the presiding California court, developers would be barred from creating applications for Android OS and shipments of Android phones would come to a halt.

Protecting intellectual property

While Sun’s business practices centered on a healthy respect for open-source software and free exchange of ideas, Oracle “takes a lot more care in terms of guarding its IP, and Java is one of the crown jewels of the Sun acquisition,” tech analyst Ray Wang told the Journal. Perhaps it is as PC World suggests, that Oracle clings to IP since the U.S. government is on its tail over tax evasion. Now the company is rivaling Google rather than Microsoft, a court system is looked to in order to get some more money flowing in.

More on this topic accessible at these websites

PC World

pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/203336/oracles_fall_from_tech_giant_to_patent_troll.html?tk=hp_new

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748704407804575426122820659864.html

“Trade the Trend” report on the Oracle-Google lawsuit

youtube.com/watch?v=ooYOG00oXpY

Elian Abuelazam might be a wanted killer

A man was arrested in the Atlanta airport who is believed to have killed five but stabbed 20. He was attempting to board a flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. As an Israeli citizen, Elias Abuelazam came to the U.S. legally. Of the 20 incidents, 16 took place in Michigan, 3 occurred in Virginia and one in Ohio. There is a belief that race was part of these crimes considering most of those victimized were African American.

Beginning attacks in May

In late May, reports started of people being approached by a man, fitting Elias Abuelazam’s explanation, asking for help with a stalled automobile or for directions. The man would then stab the victims with a knife and run. According to ABC, Elias Abuelazam was just lately arrested for a simple assault, which led police to believe that he was the person behind the stabbings. To identify the killer, law officials from Michigan, Virginia and Ohio all started working together with the public to get an ID.

Race a motive behind killing

Most of the victims were African American males, and the crimes are believed to be racially motivated. Since 16 of these victims were stabbed in Flint, Michigan, that is where the police did most of their research. Three other stabbings took place in Leesburg, Va., and one took place in Toledo, Ohio. The stabbings caused a Flint judge to issue a warrant for the arrest of this man. He was boarding a flight for Tel Aviv, Israel when the Michigan police found him in Atlanta International Airport because of a tip. Police took him into custody after a page was issued through the intercom.

Nevertheless no conviction

There is enough evidence to believe he is the perpetrator, but at this point he remains only a suspect. He won’t be sentenced to death considering Michigan, where five deaths happened, is not a death penalty state, and that is where he is being convicted.

Additional reading

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/US/TheLaw/serial-stabber-suspect-identified-elias-abuelazam-federal-officals/story?id=11382102 and amp;page=1

The growth of retail sales is not as fast as forecasted

The U.S. Census Bureau has just released its monthly report on retail sales activity. Retail sales for July grew only 0.4 percent overall from June, and are up 5.5 percent since July of last year. This was below previous quotes. Economic indicators are pointing toward a slower recovery. Consumer prices also rebounded slightly after several months of slight decline. Consumer prices are being watched closely by economists, as many fear deflation due to increasing costs of goods and lower employment might be on the horizon.

Retail sales get a slight bump|Slight bump for retail sales|Retail sales get less than an Oprah style bump|Modest gain in retail sales|A slight gain in retail sales}

July of this year had a very modest improvement in retail spending. The figure of a 0.4 percent increase by the US Census Bureau could be somewhat misleading. Discretionary retail spending, for goods such as furniture or electronics, fell 0.42 percent between June and July. Discretionary spending, as outlined by the Christian Science Monitor, rose 2.77 percent from a year ago. Retail sales, according to the Wall Street Journal, had fallen the previous two months, as May sales were down 0.3 percent and June was 1.0 percent lower than May.

The modest gain was spurred by auto sales

The gains within the retail sales were helped along by car sales, confirmed by the profits that Ford and General Motors realized for this last quarter. The bulk of the retail sales increases, as outlined by Bloomberg, were due to sales of vehicles and the gas necessary to drive those new automobiles around. All other categories of retail sales combined for a loss of 0.1 percent. Consumer prices also ticked higher. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3 percent, meaning the cost of living is increasing in an era of high unemployment.

Deflation becoming a worry

The restoration is going slower than people would like, and unemployment is nevertheless hovering around 10 percent. The Federal Reserve is at the moment looking for signs of deflation, which is where prices of goods increases when less cash is accessible to go around. Fewer individuals are fully employed, and less wealth is being held in housing. The indicators seem to point to cautious consumers, as less spending and more saving appear to be the orders of the day.

Discover more data on this topic

CS Monitor

csmonitor.com/Money/Paper-Economy/2010/0813/Retail-sales-up-in-July

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2010/08/13/price-retail-sales-data-arrive-in-line-with-expectations/

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-13/retail-sales-in-u-s-increased-0-4-in-july-less-than-economists-forecast.html

Rampage at McDonalds – Melodi Dushane video now public

In January, Melodi Dushane was caught on video tape rampaging through a McDonald’s drive-through window. Today, the video tape that shows Melodi Dushane attacking two McDonald’s employees was entered into public record. There were no chicken McNuggets available, and Melodi Dushane, who was admittedly drunk, is seen freaking out. Post resource – Video of Melodi Dushane McNugget rampage becomes public record by Personal Money Store.

Melodi Dushane New Year’s Day attack

Melodi Dushane visited a Toledo McDonald’s and ordered Chicken McNuggets on January 1, 2010. Because it was breakfast hours, the McNuggets she ordered weren’t available. The employees of McDonald’s tried to convince Dushane that she could not get the McNuggets, but she attacked them. First, Dushane punches and slaps the workers, the breaks the drive-through glass.

Melodi Dushane sentenced to two months

Eventually, Melodi Dushane was changed with both vandalism and assault in connection with the attack. Originally, Dushane pled not guilty to all the charges. In the end, Dushane was sentenced to 60 days in jail and had to pay for the broken window at the McDonald’s. Melodi Dushane also admitted that she was drunk at the time she attacked the McDonald’s. In the end, Dushane’s drunken rampage could very well cost her thousands of dollars.

Debating if evidence like this should be made entirely public

Some legal experts are wondering if the public’s right to know really outweighs individual rights. It used to be that when evidence related to court cases was made public, individuals had to actively seek it out. Now, when evidence is made public, it is often spread around the world in moments. Even those who have served their sentences for the crimes are usually implicated in these releases of information, which is typically weighed as less essential than the right of the community to know what is going on in their area.What do you think – how should the two competing things be weighed?

Citi loans bought by JP Morgan Chase

As a part of its goal of expanding its lending portfolio, JP Morgan Chase has purchased a loan portfolio from Citi. $ 3.5 billion was the cost of this deal although Citi has been working hard at selling $ 8 billion in troubled loans. These loans are almost guaranteed payroll loans for JP Morgan Chase since they were for multi-family and apartment buildings.

Citi wants to sell its faxless loan portfolio

Citi is trying to sell a ton of its loans and securities as part of a rebuilding strategy. Citi Holdings group has been the recipient of some of these loans, while about $ 19 billion worth of products have been sold to other companies. Citi is selling securities at their value when trying to also slow business down.

Credit loans are what JP Morgan Chase purchased

3,800 multi-family dwelling home loans were a part of the portfolio bought from Citi for JP Morgan Chase. Behind Fannie and Freddie is JP Morgan Chase in 3rd place as a large mortgage lender. JP Morgan Chase already had “in the pipeline” $ 300 million in multi-family loans.

Mortgage lending increasing

Mortgage applications are going up although it has been very slow. Applications for new home loans increased by about .6 percent last week. You will find also more people not applying for loans although they may need them. Banks do not want to lend although legislators are pressuring them into it. The argument is that banks are doing everything they can to offer loans to “credit-worthy” applicants. ”Credit worthy” people are hard to find now and days with everything going on within the economy. Many are concerned there won’t be any change in lending although this purchase that JP Morgan Chase has been making on multi-family home loans has shifted things around in larger banks.

Republican candidate for Connecticut Senate seat is Linda McMahon

The Connecticut Republican Primary has just concluded, and Linda McMahon is their candidate for the open seat from Connecticut within the US Senate. One seat is being contested this November. She’s the previous CEO of WWE Entertainment and wife of Vince McMahon Jr. She stepped down from her position within the company to run for the Senate seat that will be vacant soon, as Senator Chris Dodd is retiring as soon as his term expires.

GOP can smell what McMahon is cooking

Part of Linda McMahon’s campaign is not taking any campaign contributions from public funds, Political Action Committees or special interests. According to ABC, she’s spent $ 22 million of her own money on her campaign so far and doesn’t mind spending a lot more between now and November. She’s running against Dick Blumenthal, the Connecticut Attorney General since 1991 and previously a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives and Connecticut State Senate.

What is it she stands for?

Linda McMahon is a classic neo-conservative. She advocates for fiscally conservative policies, specific deregulation and creating jobs in the private sector are big topics for her. She expressed agreement with Obama’s approach to the Afghan war, and she is somewhat hawkish on Iran. She has broken with mainstream Republicans, having donated money to a pro-choice Republican PAC, though she’s also opposed to partial-birth abortion. She is friendlier to LGBT issues than the President has seemed to be so far, as she is for the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policies and doesn’t think the federal government should have a say concerning gay marriage.

So what’s the bottom line?

She is, assuredly, another famous and wealthy person running for office. Not that we have not seen that before, but she was the CEO of a business that became the only professional wrestling organization to be publicly traded and almost as popular as NASCAR. (The McMahons own a large majority of the shares.) She has some very popular platforms, and she may well prove to be precisely what voters are looking for. So what are you going to do, brother, when Wrestle mania goes to Washington?

Further reading on this topic

ABC News

abcnews.com/george/2010/08/linda-mcmahon-i-will-spend-what-it-takes.html

CT Mirror

ctmirror.org/story/5215/mcmahons-investment-produces-its-first-returns

The Other Guys has nice reviews

The new buddy cop comedy film “The Other Guys” debuts in theaters today. The movie has actors Mark Wahlberg, Steve Coogan and Will Ferrell in it. The “Other Guys” reviews so far are quite positive. Both the leading actors (Ferrell and Wahlberg) had some misfires within the last few years, and consensus among critics is “The Other Guys” is a step within the right direction. Adam McKay, director of “Anchorman,” “Talledega Nights” and “Stepbrothers,” directed this film.

'The Other Guys’ is an old time movie with new actors

The premise behind the movie is that a disgraced cop (Wahlberg) is given demeaning work after a high profile fiasco in which his character inadvertently shoots Derek Jeter. He is reassigned to white collar crime, where he partners up with an awkward geek, Will Ferrell as a forensic accountant. They work together to stop the scheming businessman, played by Steve Coogan. It is fairly funny to watch. It’s been done before, but each plot has been done. The difference between a movie bombing and a movie doing well is always the actors.

The reviews are good

So far, the film has a rating of 79 percent good reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Ratings for the last two Will Ferrell movies, “Land of the Lost” and “The Goods,” got less than 30 percent on their ratings. Wahlberg, on the other hand, has not had a film get more than 32 percent since 2007. The critics are being fairly kind to this one, saying that while it is certainly a idiotic comedy/action flick, it is still good fun. As outlined by Kurt Loder from MTV, the movie isn’t all that smart but is an excellent comedy for summer.

Worth watching it

If you are within the mood for a goofy comedy, then this may be just what the doctor ordered. Considering all the bad things happening with the economy, the laugh may be good for some individuals.

Further reading

Rotten Tomatoes

rottentomatoes.com/m/other_guys/?page=1 and amp;critic=columns and amp;sortby= and amp;name_order= and amp;view=#contentReviews

MTV’s Kurt Loder

mtv.com/news/articles/1645213/20100805/story.jhtml

Americans don't want to end Social Security to help with deficit

According to a recent poll conducted by research firm GfK Roper and funded by AARP, Americans largely disapprove of cutting Social Security in order to lower the national deficit. According to the Huffington Post, 85 percent of adults don’t want to cut Social Security. 72 percent were shown in the survey to “strongly oppose” social security. Source of article – Americans disagree with Social Security cuts to trim deficit by Personal Money Store.

‘Me first,’ say Social Security recipients

Considering the Social Security system has been criticized time and time again and is 75 years old, it is interesting to see this support. However, considering that AARP funded the poll and numerous AARP members are or are about to begin collecting Social Security benefits, perhaps it all makes sense. Another interesting related figure to surface from the poll is that 57 percent of American adults younger than 50 claimed they’d be willing to pay higher payroll taxes to ensure that they’ll have Social Security to collect after they retire. The “Baby Boomer” generation gets to relax and live off other people’s incomes, which is why they don’t care about the deficit that the younger generation is going to have to fix one day.

Trust funds helping

Since Social Security is clearly not probably the most sustainable program, the Obama administration is trying to figure out what to do to change things. Most are concerned they won’t get their Social Security anymore. Right now, taxes can’t cover the program and while privatization is a solution being looked into for the younger generation, Baby Boomers would end up losing all their money they live off of.

Social Security income used intensely by two-thirds Americans

While two out of 3 Americans fear the direct effect that cutting Social Security would have on their budgets in the golden years, a whopping 80 percent are wary of indirect financial stress such action would cause families of fixed-income retirees. Clichéd old fears of a “poor house” or “debtors’ prison” rear their ugly heads, giving way to hysteria. Even if the Social Security program went under, 80 percent of “the sky is falling” kind of individuals know they’ll nevertheless get an advantage of some sort from the government.

Discover more information on this subject

Bestyears.com

bestyears.com/parentstold.html

AARP survey

aarp.org/work/social-security/info-08-2010/social_security_75th.html

Cato Institute

cato.org/social-security

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/11/public-opposes-cutting-so_n_678374.html

Social Security Online

ssa.gov/

Milton Friedman on the Social Security myth

youtube.com/watch?v=rCdgv7n9xCY

IBM declared it will obtain Unica Corporation for $ 480 million

International Business Machines Corp. has confirmed plans to buy Unica Corp., a marketing software creator, for $ 480 million in an effort to help the technology giant supply consumers with effective tools to create more focused marketing campaigns. IBM, which recently purchased Web analytics vendor Coremetrics, is offering Unica holders $ 21 a share. That’s more than twice Thursday’s closing price and the highest level the stock has ever witnessed, according to Wall Street Journal.

The collaboration of IBM and Unica

The goal in mind with IBM is to provide help for shoppers by generating a “consistent and relevant cross-channel brand experience to promote consumer loyalty and satisfaction,” as summarized in a statement, PC World reports. And the company’s main strategic focus is the shift to higher-margin software business in order to maintain profit growth. There are about 500 Unica employees, all of whom will be integrated into IBM’s software division, where the company believes an exceptional advantage can be offered to its business-analytics and consulting unit through the power of Unica’s software.

Info on Unica Corporation

Unica Corps. has been around for almost two decades and is a recognized leader in marketing software solutions. Founded in 1992, the business is based in Waltham, Mass., with additional offices located in other parts of the nation and worldwide. In England, it is one of fastest growing technology corporations. The company reported total revenue of $ 30.7 million for the 3rd quarter fiscal 2010, which ended June 30, 2010. That’s a 14 percent increase compared to last year’s figures.

Unica brings optimism to IBM

Including major retailers like Best Purchase, eBay and ING, Unica has about 1,500 consumers. However, once the acquisition is finalized, its customers will become IBM customers. Yuchun Lee, the Unica CEO, said he believes the new movement will provide the help IBM needs to improve all types of businesses, no matter how big or small. Further details concerning the Unica acquisition will be discussed among IBM officials during a conference call Friday. The deal is expected to close within the fourth quarter of this year.

Get more info here

The Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703960004575427171092347124.html

PC World

pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/203224/ibm_buying_unica_for_480_million.html

Jet Blue flight attendant demonstrates the customer can be wrong

Steven Slater, career flight attendant, was pushed over the brink. An excellent flight attendant for over two decades, a traveler thought it was acceptable to mistreatment him for doing his job. Slater, a Jet Blue flight attendant at the time, cursed the man over the intercom, opened the door of the plane and employed the emergency exit slide, leaving the tarmac on foot. He has been charged with reckless endangerment and criminal mischief among other things.

It is plane to see how much he can handle

According to CNN, Jet Blue Flight 1052 landed at JFK International Airport from Pittsburgh. The plane was nearing the terminal after landing, and a passenger stood up to get his bag in the overhead bin before it was safe to do so, and Steven Slater, a flight attendant, instructed him he had to take his seat until the plane came to a stop. What happened next is not clear, but it seems either the bag fell and struck Slater or the passenger shoved him. The man refused to apologize and swore at him. Slater announced he was quitting over the intercom when losing a tirade at the passenger who maltreated him. He took beer from the galley and used the emergency chute to exit the plane. He was arrested later at his home.

Cabin pressure

When Slater was not working, according to MSN, he was rarely home. His roommate reported that Slater often flew to Thousand Oaks, Calif., to care for his ailing mother, as he had done for his father. His mother, as outlined by the New York Times, had also been a flight attendant. His father, formerly a pilot, had passed away from Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Customers really can be wrong

Individuals within the service trades should be treated better than they’re. The general public could be absolutely horrid, as anybody who has ever worked a day in their life within the service industry knows. Mistakes do sometimes get made, but cooperating and being polite cost nothing.

Discover more information on this subject

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/38629517/ns/travel-news/

CNN

cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/08/10/new.york.escape.chute.opened/?hpt=C2

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/10/nyregion/10attendant.html?_r=1 and hp

You would be surprised at who demands guaranteed loans

Corporate finance and personal finance aren’t as diverse as you would think. The companies which need some guaranteed loans at a while, or at least a line of credit in case they need a short term personal loan are some of the biggest names out there. Even Ford Motor Co got guaranteed loans a couple of years ago. Ford has a severe mind towards getting debt consolidation as quick as possible. Meanwhile, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae need more guaranteed loans to stay afloat.

Lord Mr. Ford you got guaranteed loans

The government lent the Ford Motor Company $ 23.5 billion before they needed bailout money and to file bankruptcy. Ford only asked for emergency lines of credit if necessary, and didn’t need a bailout. Not asking for emergency loans from the government was a wise business decision. While Chrysler and General Motors were figuring things out, Ford’s sales went up 22 percent, according to the Wall Street Journal. Sometimes just knowing you can borrow can give a boost of confidence; some individuals like knowing they can get a money loans if they really need it.

Mortgage giants need more guaranteed loans

Meanwhile, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac need more guaranteed loans from the government in order to stay solvent. Freddie, according to ABC, lost $ 6 billion this last quarter already. They’re asking for another $ 1.8 billion. Freddie and Fannie are struggling, and they have until 2012 to get their affairs in order. That’s when the Treasury Department’s teat will run dry.

Fortune 500 corporations have credit scores too

Ford could be able to get better loans, as they settle debt and improve the company’s credit history. Just like paying off a credit card improves your credit history, it works for big corporations too.

More on this topic

online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703589404575417491742322262.html

abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11356950

Raging fires add to Russian misery of heat wave and drought

Russian fires triggered by a record heat wave and drought are burning out of control in a good portion of the country’s eastern territory. Entire villages are ruined by the flames and as of Aug. 6 the death toll was 48. The wildfires liberally covered Moscow under a thick blanket of smoke and have left 4,000 individuals homeless. Some of the blazes threaten to re-release Russian nuclear contamination from the Chernobyl disaster locked up in the trees in certain areas. Russian government agencies, slow and poorly outfitted to fight the fires, are receiving a rare dose of criticism.

Russian fires add to summer of disaster

More than 1.6 million acres in Russia have burned since the fires began, the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said. To fight the fires, the government has enlisted more than 155,000 people. The Wall Street Journal reported that even as 293 fires were put out, more than 400 new fires ignited. A total of 520 fires were blazing across Russia on Aug. 6. The record heat wave that started the Russian fires, plus its worst drought in at least 30 years aren’t letting up. Scorching heat will carry on until at least Aug. 12, with temperatures in some parts of the country as high 107 degrees.

Heat is on Russian government

Public anger reached the boiling point as the Russian government struggled to get the fires under control. The latest disaster has underscored the inability of the government to protect Russians from such calamities, as outlined by the Financial Times. Despite soaring energy revenues that have transformed it into a country with a trillion-dollar plus economy, Russia still suffers from flawed governance, a slapdash approach to safety and a dilapidated infrastructure. Nikolay Petrov of the Carnegie Moscow Centre told the Times the death toll is much higher in Russia than in other countries where such fires occur as the system is “absolutely dysfunctional”. Petrov said communication was far too slow within the “super-centralized” political system put in place under Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin.

Europeans threaten by nuclear contamination from fires

Nuclear contamination is an additional threat posed by Russian fires. AFP reports that radioactive cesium 137 from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster is locked up within the trees and dead leaves in forests in certain areas of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Philippe Renaud, head of the environmental radiation laboratory at France’s IRSN nuclear safety institute, said If trees in those areas burn, the Russian nuclear contamination would be released to the air where it could possibly be breathed in by people as far away as France.

Further reading

wsj.com

ft.com

google.com/hostednews/afp/article

Fixing your brakes with drum brakes or disk brakes

Even though the speed a automobile can travel is very important, it is just as essential to be able to stop if and whenever you want. Two types of brakes are accessible, and they’re drum brakes and disk brakes. Each one is used differently with both of them being effective for stopping. Save time and money by knowing what kind of brake system you need for your vehicle. Post resource – Drum brakes vs. disc brakes – turning up the heat by Car Deal Expert.

Drum brake background

Drum braking systems are sometimes known as “rotating” braking systems. The basic design is one of a round “drum” that rotates along with the wheel. The drum expands whenever you press the pedal making the wheel slow. Drum brakes can heat up and become ineffective when put under a lot of pressure.

Information on disc brakes

Disc brakes look like bikes on a bicycle really. The wheel is “squeezed” by calipers whenever you use the brake. The brakes do not get as hot and work better.

Disc versus Drum

When deciding between disc and drum, make certain you consider everything. Drum brakes aren’t expensive and are simple. Disc brakes typically work better. Drum brakes are generally found in less costly or more economical vehicles. Disk and drum brakes are found in a lot of cars. Disc brakes can be used for emergencies. Emergency brakes have to be installed also with less expensive drum brakes. Disc brakes need replacing less than drum brakes although it costs less to replace drum brakes.

NC helps families with a 2010 tax free weekend

The recession continues to hit American families hard, leaving them in need of money to meet recurring expenditures. Even buying school supplies for children could be a really big problem financially for some families. Instant cash in North Carolina can be easier to come by with tax free weekend NC 2010.

Tax free weekend NC 2010 runs today, August 6 through Sunday, August 8

Anyone hoping for quick personal loans will benefit from tax free weekend NC 2010. It can cost a lot of money to purchase a whole list of school supplies for kids. Many families will benefit from sales tax being taken away. Going along with it, places are running huge sales on school items reports the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Selling like crazy could be all the pencils and paper. ”It’s insanity around here. Tax-free weekend is busier than Black Friday for us. It’s that way for most office supply stores,” is what Nicole Lawrence, supervisor of Office Max in Buncombe County, North Carolina, told the Citizen-Times.

School buying strategies

School supplies might not be the only thing on your list for that weekend. Stores that sell clothing or sporting goods with school supplies profit quite a bit from the weekend also. Remember, less driving means less gasoline consumed. Before leaving, check newspaper and online ads for sales, and do some comparison purchasing. If you need a popular item that’s on sale, don’t wait to leave for the store. You’ll have to make sure to use patience. Most stores could be hoping with business.

Getting extra help

Families who need more financial assistance than North Carolina’s tax-free weekend can provide may be in luck. Anybody who needs help can look towards Eblen Kimmel Charities like “Tools for Schools” which provide help to families in need, repots the Citizen-Times in an interview with Jan Blunt of Buncombe County Schools. If you need to be a part of this, you will have to provide your child’s social security number and grade level. 50 Westgate Parkway is where Eblen Kimmel’s office is where supplies can be picked up on August 16. Those who would like to donate new, unopened school supplies for the giveaway are encouraged to do so on Wednesday, Aug. 11 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Ingles market on Tunnel Road.

More on this topic

Citizen Times

citizen-times.com/article/20100804/LIVING/308040023/1009 and amp;theme=BACKTOSCHOOL

Eblen Kimmel Charities

eblencharities.org/

Ingles Market

ingles-markets.com/

YouTube

Tax-free back-to-school shopping tips from the BBB

youtube.com/watch?v=WkdYLIsEi6s

August 12 release for Blackberry Torch 9800

Research In Motion, the Canadian business behind the Blackberry, has announced its newest phone — the Blackberry Torch 9800. The Blackberry Torch 9800 will release on the AT and T network on Aug. 12, 2010. Reviewers don’t seem happy about the new Blackberry Torch 9800, though it does have customers excited. Source for this article – Blackberry Torch 9800 coming to AT and T on August 12 by Personal Money Store.

The basics of the Blackberry Torch 9800

The Blackberry Torch 9800 maintains many of the things that Blackberry phones have become known for. The QWERTY keyboard is housed in a slider-style case. The messaging and web browsing functions are still solidly in place, though updated. The Blackberry Torch 9800 has a similar size and weight as previous models. The security features on the Blackberry Torch 9800 also remain in place.

Updating firmware on the Blackberry Torch

The Blackberry Torch 9800 has the new Blackberry 6 operating system. This update includes features that Blackberry users have been asking for. There could be a universal search, and social networking and messaging can be integrated. Data usage is kept to a minimum with the new WebKit browser, supposedly. The Blackberry App Store comes pre-loaded on the Blackberry Torch 9800, allowing you to customize the phone easily.

Blackberry Torch 9800 concerns

The Blackberry Torch 9800 may not be enough for RIM to truly survive. The Blackberry is and has always been intended and developed for business and government use — strong security and no-frills interfaces. RIM seems to be courting more of the consumer market with the Blackberry Torch. The new Blackberry Torch 9800 has a tiny screen with low resolution, though, and an email interface that is reportedly very clunky. These together may prove to be the downfall of this Smartphone maker, even though they really began the Smartphone movement.

Employees with financial education make for a better company

A company doesn’t do also when their employees can’t even deal with personal finances. Money difficulties at home can lead to lower productivity at work, health troubles and excessive turnover. A company is more likely to make hundreds of thousands of dollars more a year with employees that are literate in finances. The weak U.S. economy has taken a toll on employee benefits like health insurance and matching retirement plans. With personal finance, companies will still have the chance to change their future for the better. Resource for this article – Employee financial education is proven to boost the bottom line by Personal Money Store.

Educational financial security

To help its workers achieve financial security, also as its bottom line, a company can do more than provide a paycheck. 20 hours of work each month is wasted on worrying about finances for those with financial difficulties reports the Durango Herald. The newspaper cites a survey of American workers by creditcards.com that found 57 percent do not spending budget and 40 percent spend 110 percent of their household income. The survey also found a correlation between consumer debt and relationship troubles. Fighting about financial security was a major reason 50 percent of the workers in the survey were divorced.

Financial literacy connects to profits

The goal of the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation is for employees to start getting their education. The PFEEF claims that financial literacy programs contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to a company’s bottom line. Results of employee financial education consist of improvement in productivity, morale and company loyalty. Higher financial literacy can also reduce absenteeism, turnover and workplace distractions also as operational risk across a company. PFEEF has an ROI calculator online with an investment model that helps companies see how it really will help their company. Three to one is how employee financial literacy usually works out.

Employee financial education in action

A company in Washington state, Weyerhaeuser, has financial literacy as part of their culture. Business Week reports that Weyerhaeuser is acknowledged as one of America’s leaders in providing financial education to nearly 14,000 employees. Employees of the company were offered 40 retirement, benefits and wellness programs in just the last year of employment. Employees who attended Weyerhaeuser’s financial literacy seminars said that they were better informed about their retirement programs, 99 percent thought that they could now make better retirement choices, and 88 percent said they would change some of their retirement choices. Weyerhaeuser employees were glad the company offered the programs that they thought were very useful.

Further reading

Durango Herald

durangoherald.com/sections/News/Columnists/Money_Savvy/2010/08/04/Workers_debt_can_be_companys_problem/

ROI

personalfinancefoundation.org/roi/roi-model.html

Business Week

businessweek.com/investor/content/jul2009/pi20090722_246198.htm

TaskRabbit - Getting things done and making money

In a few big cities, “service networking” is the newest name for the service offered by TaskRabbit. Anyone who needs help with a task can match up with someone who has some additional time. By combining user ratings and reviews, TaskRabbit proves to be safer and more reliable than other, comparable services online.

The idea of TaskRabbit

The basic idea of TaskRabbit is simple: you will find things that people need help with. Be it watering window boxes, picking up dog food or running dry cleaning, every person has something. TaskRabbit is the task-by-task personal assistant for everyone who can’t afford one full time. Post6 a task and the amount you are willing to pay, and somebody in the area can claim the task as theirs. Within the end, it is good for everyone.

Getting work with TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is attractive not only because people can get things done, but because you can make extra cash. You are able to even bid for or make counteroffers on a task. ”Service networking” helps turn that extra time into extra money. If you would like to accept a task, you should consider a few things. First, think about how much cash the task will cost you. Second, map out exactly how much time the task is going to take. Finally, consider what your hourly rate is going to be and if amount offered is enough for what you’re worth. Keep in mind that if you will make more than $ 600 in one year, you can have to pay fifteen percent in self employment tax.

TaskRabbit in new cities

Currently, TaskRabbit is only available in Boston and San Francisco. TaskRabbit plans on expanding, but it will take at least a couple of months to add cities. If you’re in one of the many areas where there is no TaskRabbit, then you can nevertheless make extra money with the concept. Try hiring yourself out for the things on the Craigslist gigs section.

Mortgage loan officers targeted by New York regulations

In numerous states, personal bank loan products are being subjected to new regulations, mostly based around who offers them. These regulations are intended to help customers in need of large or small loans protect themselves from unscrupulous agents. These licensing laws were passed in 2006 in New York, and comparable ones were passed federally in 2008.

Licensing loan officers in New York

The New York state regulations aren’t intended for cash advance lenders that offer mortgages, but for their employees that actually offer mortgages. As of July 31, any mortgage loan officer who wants to work in New York State must have a license. 20 hours of training are required for this licensing. The license also requires financial background checks and criminal background checks. Around the country, similar laws will be taking effect within the next few years.

Loans offered by bad employees limited

One very specific problem is addressed by this Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing law. Many of the bad loans and fast cash advance products that contributed to the economic downfall came from a unique subset of lenders. You didn’t need a separate certification if you worked for an employer that had a mortgage license. Many loan officers who made no credit loans would jump from job to job after fired for making bad loans.By maintaining a record on the lender’s license, states can be able to keep closer tabs.

Light licensing requirements

By addressing issues within the mortgage business, the new law does help, but some are worried it might not be enough. Some individuals think that 20 hours of training won’t be enough. There is a minimum of 75 hours of professional training for most licenses. The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry is providing a search that will help you discover a mortgage lender that has a license.

Telling about car troubles to NHTSA

There are millions of vehicles on the road in America. Some cars will break down. You have to report anything that might make your car have a safety defect. NHTSA car malfunctions by Car Deal Expert.

The importance of reporting defects

Safety of vehicles is the main concern of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. All the cars make it difficult for the NHTSA to keep track of safety problems with a vehicle. The NHTSA doesn’t know how to “connect the dots” without the help of other people. It is important to know what needs to be investigated and what needs to be recalled. Car manufacturers won’t admit to you that something is wrong but being required by the NHTSA to make a recall might help you out quite a bit.

What needs to be reported

You should report any safety complaint or possible concern to the NHTSA. For example, if your brakes appear to fail, that should be reported. Report it when your airbag doesn’t come out right. Tires separating, component failures and defective child restraints are also worth reporting. This list should include anything you may discover could hurt somebody, cause a crash, or make a possible crash worse.

Getting in contact with the NHTSA

Difficulties to be reported to the NHTSA are easy to report. The number you are able to call is 888-327-4236 or there is also the Office of Defects Investigation website. You will need information about the make and model of the car and component you are making the complaint about. The NHTSA needs to be able to contact you also in case an investigation happens. The database takes this info you give them and connects it with the info from every person else who has made a comparable complaint.

Further reading

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation site
odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

Boston missing pets - residents feel fisher cats are to blame

At an alarming rate, precious family pets in the Boston, Mass., area are disappearing or turning up dead. Many citizens believe that fisher cats are to blame. The wild, sharp-toothed, weasel-looking fisher cat has been identified in residential neighborhoods, and individuals are advised to be cautious.

Fisher cat assault in Boston

Many residents in the Boston area think the growing number of pets vanishing is due to fisher cat assaults. Reports of missing pets continue to rise, and families are warned to take precautionary measures to safeguard their animals and small children. Numerous residents say that fisher cats have been spotted in people’s back yards, in fences and on back porches — right out in broad daylight. A man in Andover even captured video clips of a fisher cat spotted in a tree.

A Dover citizen name Linda Ribeiro who had lost two cats and a dog told reporters that she saw a fisher cat a couple weeks ago that was as large as a coffee table. ”Almost looked like a sea serpent or something,” said Ribeiro. “The head was up and then it came down to short front legs and then the back goes up and arches and then this long tail that’s stuck up within the air.”

What is a fisher cat?

Fisher cats fall within the same family as weasels, minks, otters and skunks. Thin, long and low to the ground, these medium-sized fisher cats are predators that will devour almost anything they discover tasty. These creatures are among a few predators that will actually try to find and kill porcupines, as outlined by Wikipedia. All year long they remain productive and are quite possibly more active during twilight hours.

What you are able to do

Missing posters across the region are turning up as troubled pet owners try to locate their pets that have vanished without a trace. The fisher cat was nearly extinct, according to wildlife officials, but now it appears the species is making its way back in numbers and terrorizing the Boston area. Pet owners and families with children are advised to remove or secure anything that can attract the fisher cats. Keep pet food, pet rabbits and birds secure and remove trash or compost, as any fisher cat will “view domestic cats and rabbits as food and will prey to them when hunting.”

Slim your bill and waistline down by saving cash on food

It easy to become overwhelmed when it comes to saving money, but it could be very simple. Many individuals think that saving money — on food, household supplies or quite possibly retirement — is a monumental task that requires a lot of time, cash and sacrifice. But it doesn’t have to be that way, especially for those who start off small and slow with a couple of minor changes at home.

Saving money on food buys

Let’s keep it simple and focus on relatively easy methods to conserve, such as saving money on food purchases. Although the price of food continues to increase, you are able to nevertheless dodge the need for payday loan if you know a couple of simple tricks on how to really conserve money on food. Remember that each little thing adds up, and also you will soon notice optimistic changes in your finances, including your health, if you continue to practice good eating and spending habits.

Consider getting store brands

One easy, painless way to cut the grocery bill is to purchase store brand food. People everywhere are turning to store brands to cut costs, as budgets get tighter and food prices increase. You are able to find numerous store brand offerings that are just as good as or perhaps better than name brand items. More than ever, many supermarket chains are offering store brand products of better quality, so you typically can’t even tell the difference with name brand items.

Advantages of buying in bulk

One other way to save cash on food and keep away from the probable need for pay day loans is to buy in bulk. Search for the items that cost the most and discover out whether purchasing in bulk will conserve you more money within the end. Of course, you may want to stay away from purchasing highly perishable items in bulk, like fresh fruits and vegetables, but things like rice, pasta, beans and potatoes could be stored for awhile. Be careful, though, because getting in bulk can also work against you if you overstock and throw things away. You’ll basically be throwing hard-earned cash down the drain.

Avoid impulse buying

Always write a list before making your way to the supermarket. Focus that list on necessary things you need each month and try not to confuse your wants with your preferences. Impulse getting is damaging to any spending budget, so always plan ahead of time and stick within your boundaries. Start a separate list for things you need but can do without and put it away for the meantime. Once you notice a significant change with your finances, it is time to pull out the “want” list and spending budget for one thing at a time. Always compensate efforts to conserve cash, but keep in mind how the greatest rewards in life are free of charge.

Quick buying Tip: The busiest time of the day is the best time to plan a small shopping trip. With your purchasing list handy, you are able to easily go in and out and stay away from the urge to look around and ignite temptation.

Have home-cooked meals

This can sometimes be tricky, particularly if you work a busy schedule. Bear in mind, however, that you are able to conserve some significant cash just by making your own meals at home. Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that excessive intake of processed foods and eating out constantly can leave a negative effect on your weight and overall health. If you have a busy lifestyle, preparing ahead will help a great deal. And here is where the crock pot handily comes in. Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker the night before, and on your way out the door the next morning, it will take almost no time to pull it out of the fridge and have it cook all day when you are away. It’s almost as easy as applying for online paycheck loans. When your day is over and it’s time to come home, you can return to a home-cooked delicious meal everyone will enjoy.

Low mortgage rates make refinancing an option for everyone

Just because the mortgage rates are at record lows right now doesn’t mean the U.S. housing market is getting any better. However, record-low mortgage rates and a real estate slump that is driving down home prices present unique opportunities, even for people whose mortgages are under water. Having a lower interest rate will helps many be willing to take that step of losing some money to hopefully do better in the long run. People are taking a loss on their current homes, trading up and coming out ahead. One of the best investments you can make right now would be to refinance your home, although you’d lose a bit of cash. Source for this article – Record-low mortgage rates create unique refinancing opportunities by Personal Money Store.

Mortgage rates at record lows with a poor housing market

You’ll end up with a lot more money if you listen to the economists within the Wall Street Journal who suggest trading up homes or refinancing your home you have now. Anyone who can sacrifice a little sweat and money can be able to get a home that is way better than the one they are used to. Everyone can afford larger homes with all of the mortgage rates so low.

The main difference between cash in and cash out

Typically, individuals refinance to “cash out” some of the equity they’ve built up in their homes over the years so they can use the cash. Oddly enough, more individuals have been interested in “cash-in” refinancing, as outlined by the Los Angeles Times. It makes sense that individuals would put more money into their home considering that’s one of probably the most stable investments now and days. In last year’s fourth quarter, a third of all borrowers who refinanced mortgages lowered their principal balances by putting money to the deal rather than taking it out.

Invest in real estate with your brains

Some individuals are opting to pay down their mortgages early. Totalmortgage.com reports that interest saved is interest earned. When paying down a mortgage, the quicker it can be paid off, the more money can be put towards other investments. It is nice to see individuals being willing to invest in real estate like that now. Other borrowers are taking advantage of record-low mortgage rates to refinance from 30-year fixed mortgages into shorter-term mortgages (15 or 20 year fixed). Doing this, one can save thousands of dollars and may also have lower monthly payments a lot of the time.

Additional reading

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704421304575383490870014662.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_personalfinance

Los Angeles Times

articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/11/business/la-fi-lew-20100711

Totalmortgage.com

totalmortgage.com/blog/mortgage-rates/low-mortgage-rates-afford-unique-housing-opportunities/5198

Five of the simplest ways to keep away from a traffic ticket

If you don’t want a traffic ticket, the first step is not getting stopped. Avoiding a police offer’s gaze, though, isn’t always easy. There are a couple of things you are able to do to help ensure that your auto is not the one the police notice.

Follow driving laws

It may seem to be a no-brainer, but first and foremost, do as little law-breaking as possible. Follow the speed limit, come to full stops, and be nice to pedestrians. Staying incognito starts with driving defensively.

Pick your auto with care

While urban legend is that certain colors of vehicles get ticketed more or less often, very few studies are done one way or another. There are, however, certain makes and models of vehicles that get ticketed more. If you do have a choice about what you drive, keep away from one of the most ticketed vehicles.

Don’t make an effort to be leader of the pack

If you’re a part of the pack, you are much less likely to be noticed by the cops. If you’re on the freeway, drive at about the exact same speed as many of the other vehicles on the road.

Keep with the large trucks

Sure, they seem large and scary, but trucks on the road are your friends. Not only does driving next to or behind them help improve your miles per gallon, the drivers of big rigs often have a better view of what is going on. Avoid a ticket by slowing down when the big rigs do.

Make sure the little things get fixed

Damage to your vehicle makes it stand out, no matter where you are driving. A cracked windshield gives an officer a legitimate reason to pull you over. Keep away from the stress, cost, and difficulties in the future by fixing those small things now.

How to keep away from personal finance mistakes that cost a lot of money

A lot of people make financial mistakes by spending money without thinking. You are able to get in trouble by simply living for today only. Of course, nobody is perfect and it’s no fun being a tightwad. But personal financial management will help you stay away from big mistakes that hold you back from where you really want to be.

Spending budget used to stop mistakes with personal finance

Having no budget is the biggest mistake. You will lose all your money if you don’t budget where you need it to go. But a budget just is not a plan for how you would like to spend your money. Bankrate.com reports that to create a spending budget you’ve to start tracking your expenses first. Tracking your spending for a month takes discipline, but once you know where your money is going, you can start making better decisions about where to allocate your funds. But don’t be too conservative. It can be more difficult to keep a spending budget that has spending cut out of it.

A spending budget helps you start saving money

A budget that you keep can help you conserve money. You could be very wrong if it appears like you can’t spare any money to savings. Ehow.com recommends beginning small. You might be interested to see how $20 a paycheck can build up your savings. Dollars can be added with nickels and dimes. Pack a lunch and water bottle for work or make your own coffee. Taking an extra job like coaching or tutoring could be your spending money when you conserve money from your regular check.

Late payments to be avoided

It costs you a lot of money to make late payments. Some tips on avoiding late payments are given on the About.com website. Late payments can be avoided easiest with a simple automatic payment with your bank account. You need to open and pay all your bills if you aren’t as confident as part of your cash flow. Write on the calendar your own due date before the bill is due. You can get free e-mail or cell phone reminders from many of the creditors. You can talk to the companies about changing the due date to arrange with whenever you get your paycheck.

Use cash advances wisely

Debt shouldn’t be used for living expenses. A pay day or online cash advance is a valuable service for emergencies like medical bills, car repairs and traffic tickets. But to finance lattes from Starbucks, the dress on sale you can’t live without or beers with the fellas after work, using personal loan and installment loans is a bad idea. When it is a good idea to get a pay day loans, only borrow exactly what you have to resolve the emergency — and by all means make certain you repay it on time.

Further reading

Bankrate.com
bankrate.com/finance/financial-literacy/secrets-to-creating-a-budget-1.aspx
Ehow.com
ehow.com/how_2205105_start-saving-money-have-none.html
About.com
personalorganizing.about.com/od/howtoorganizefinances/ht/bills_finances.htm