Danger vacation getting spicy revenue regarding Mexico

Tourism is a vital source of income for nations worldwide.For Americans, Mexico has proven to be a popular tourist attraction.The traditional image of a Mexican escape involves beaches, surfing, parasailing, margaritas and horseback trips to restorative hot springs in far-off villages.However a new form of Mexican travel and leisure is anything however ordinary, reports Reuters.”Danger tourism” that takes thrill-seekers into the maelstrom of sex, drugs and open violence of the current drug war is all the rage.

Risk travel and leisure isn’t your dad’s Mexico vacation

The majority of Mexico escape fans aren’t paying to be mugged and abused, however some adrenaline junkies want to see the Mexico that exists outside of resorts.Specialty travel agencies give tourists the chance to watch Zapatista rebels work. Or, for those who prefer human trafficking and sex trade, you will find places to see that, too.Places like the Tepito underground in Mexico City, for example. Drugs, underage prostitution and contraband are the stock in trade.Danger vacation of this nature, as outlined by Universal Travel’s Cesar Estrada, is spiking in popularity.

“We tell visitors to dress simply. If they want pictures, our guides take them discreetly,” Estrada said.

’Real’ Mexico for real tourists

Hazard vacation grants the daring “the kind of insight into the real Mexico one could not get in a beach resort like Cancún,” said tourist Donata Von Salviati to Reuters.Adding to the theme of “the real Mexico,” one tourist agency enables danger tourism aficionados to pay 200 pesos ($15) to hire a fake human trafficker (aka polleros or coyotes) for a nighttime run that simulates being a migrant crossing the southern border of the United States.No food or water is allowed on the trip through bushes and across rivers.Tourists run for their lives, or fake la migra snares them like runaway cattle.

Is a Mexico overall economy pushing this as far as they can?

Reuters reports that it is unclear at this point exactly what kind of an effect danger vacation has had on the Mexican economy.When one considers that nine percent of Mexico’s overall economy depends upon vacation dollars, danger tourism could not be anything other than a shot within the arm, despite the ravages of the drug war.The trail of money is much appreciated by America’s neighbor to the south.

More on this topic

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSN2463303

Americans awaken to realize McMansions are a waste

McMansions are history. What had been conceived as status symbols for emerging wealth are now regarded as crass, wasteful mistakes in the wake of the housing bubble. Oversized, overpriced dwellings built a scant few feet apart from each other have fallen out of fashion, some new research has shown. People building new homes are opting for much smaller floor plans. Real estate and design professionals seem confident that the demise of the McMansion is permanent.

Day of McMansions ends in crisis

The housing bubble appears to are the peak of the McMansion, which has been lampooned simply by such terms as beginner castle and Hummer house. A return of demand for McMansions might be unlikely. As reported by TIME, a report on real estate trends by Trulia shows that the average square feet of floor plans in United States homes has gone down for the very first time in six decades. Homes within the U.S. had reached an average size of about 983 square feet by 1950. Trulia’s American Dream Survey shows a dramatic increase since then. By simply 2004, the average square footage of an American home was 2,349 square feet. Another study, the Truila-Harris interactive survey, found that only 9 percent of people polled were looking for homes of at least 3,000 square feet that are considered McMansions. A majority of the housing market, 64 percent of buyers, sought homes from 800-2,000 square feet.

Housing market reaches its brains

People within the housing industry think the downsizing trend within the housing market is here to stay. CNBC quoted Pete Flint of Trulia as saying that shrinking square footage could have a long-lasting impression . Numbers collected in a 2009 survey of builders are being borne out now. Nine out of 10 builders said they had smaller, cheaper homes on their construction schedule. When interviewed by simply CNBC, Kermit Baker, the chief economist at the American Institute of Architects, said design professionals are leaving the McMansion concept behind as demand moves to more practical layouts.Amid the wreckage of the economic downturn, Paul Bishop, vice president of research for the National Association of Realtors told CNBC that McMansions have become inappropriate.

Further reading

TIME

newsfeed.time.com

Trulia

info.trulia.com

CNBC

cnbc.com

Reform a school with $ 4.35 billion as a Race to the Top winner

President Obama’s economic stimulus plan contains fast cash loans within the form of $ 4.35 billion to be used for improving America’s schools. His education initiative, entitled “Race to the Top,” rewards schools with the most ambitious plans to “improve schools and close the achievement gap,” writes MSNBC. The $ 3.4 billion will be shared. You will find nine places that get to share the money: The amounts going to Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington D.C. could be announced later on. There is one more $ 350 million award to be given. This will involve having to come up with a new way of assessment. Source for this article – Race to the Top winners get $ 4.35 billion for school reform by Personal Money Store.

Others besides ‘Race to the Top’ winners changing

The grant competition “Race to the Top” has inspired numerous states that need the money to raise the education bar. States have tried winning “Race to the Top” by making more accountability directives for teachers and no caps on funding for charter schools. 19 finalists were chosen in July from 35 states and also the District of Columbia who applied for round 2. So far, 46 states and also the District of Columbia have applied for “Race to the Top.”.

State education leaders and teachers unions against programs

There hasn’t been universal approval for “Race to the Top”. ”Race to the Top” was a big concern, says MSNBC, because state officials didn’t want the government coming in and taking control over schools. Also, the correlation between teacher evaluations and student standardized performance was not something teachers unions liked the idea of.

Reform America needs

There is a positive overall outlook so far. Democrats for Education Reform released a public statement in which the organization clearly showed that it has its finger on the pulse of what the majority of the nation is thinking about “Race to the Top.”. The statement applauded the bold reform actions undertaken and expressed hope that under the president’s command, all groups involved in reform – from civil rights and child advocacy groups to local companies and other grassroots education reform collectives – would work in harmony with teachers unions to produce results that have been needed in America for many years.

Discover more info on this subject

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/38827310

President Obama on “Race to the Top

youtube.com/watch?v=VNbDv0zPBV4

You will find a lot of payday loans debt collection scams

Illinois consumers have been getting hit by pay day loan debt collection scams. Con artists posing as debt collectors have somehow obtained the phone numbers and personal data of current and former pay day loan borrowers. Lawsuits and jail time are the typical threats con artists for paydayloans collectors use. They call on the phone to get a hold of the consumers. There is enough of a pay day loan collection scam in Illinois that a consumer alert was even given by the Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Intimidation and threats used by debt collection scammers

Bogus pay day loans debt collectors are the main complaint coming to the Illinois attorney general’s office just lately. As outlined by Consumer Affairs, most individuals who have received fraudulent paydayloans calls have previously used an online payday lender and had already paid their debt. The details known by the caller involves social security numbers, employer, account with your bank numbers and names. Because the con artists have such sensitive personal details, their victims often believe the debt collectors are legit. The scam artists use threats and intimidation, like lawsuits and jail, to dupe them into authorizing a direct withdrawal from their checking account. The bogus collectors often like to get promissory notes signed by these consumers.

This stops money lenders from getting business

More individuals are getting hurt by debt collection scammers. Illinois payday loan customers aren’t the only ones. Wallet Pop reports the payday loans no fax 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. These names tend to be fake. There is a real one coming from CashNet USA. It is one of the only real ones. There has been a warning posted from CashNet USA. This could be found on its website.

Illegal debt collection harassment being done

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.. Other things they can’t do contain asking for more money than is owed, tell a third party about consumer’s debt or even use threats. Even so, some victims of the Illinois payday loan scam calls told Madigan’s office that they were fooled into paying various hundred dollars. WIFR, which is an Illinois TV station, showed advice for if consumers are contacted by scammers that come from Madigan.

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.

Further reading

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

Now, the Joneses have no debt, meaning to stay up you're going to have to get rid of it too

The phrase “keeping up with the Joneses” has a special meaning. Any person keeping up their social status with the things they buy will use this phrase. This is the thing that most often causes spurts of getting with iPhones, flat screen TVs, riding lawnmowers and many other things. The Federal Reserve has explained that more individuals are getting debt settlement relief rather than using credit cards as the Joneses.

Fed things debt within the home has gone down a lot

The household debt in America numbers were shown by the Federal Reserve recently. It seems that once the recession came, people decided to tighten their belts and pay things off. Nobody will do poorly with debt consolidation. Seven quarters in a row had debt levels showed going down. This was reported by the Wall Street Journal. Second quarter of 2010 showed a 1.5 percent reduction from the past quarter and a 6.5 percent reduction from the previous peak, in 3rd quarter of 2008. That’s $ 178 billion of debt that’s been paid off in the last 3 months. That’s a lot of people essentially giving themselves a cash advance each month.

An additional warning

The increased savings and falling debt isn’t the only thing that is happening. Consumer debt is going down. But delinquency has gone up a bit. 0.5 percent was how much the delinquent debt rate went down. However, as a corollary, bankruptcies increased by 34 percent. Only 161 million payday loan accounts were opened when 272 million accounts were closed meaning that less people are signing up for payday loans to pay stuff off. Credit card companies aren’t doing all that well. They might need their own emergency cash loans.

Cutting debt out of your life

Overall, more Americans are trying to get rid of debt. Many aren’t getting new credit cards. Paying down old ones is the priority. Unfortunately, though, more people are filing for bankruptcy. Still, there are a lot of good signs that individuals want to stay out of debt, preferring the security of cold, hard, cash.

More on this topic

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010/08/17/ny-fed-households-continue-to-reduce-debt/

Calling 888-5-OPTOUT may just save you from getting your identity stolen

For those who have gone bankrupt just lately, you may be getting a lot of pre-approved credit offers in the mail. The lure of “buy now, pay later ” has ensnared numerous American consumers, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Call 888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) and you’ll be safe from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian in their offers. Anyone hoping to make it extremely hard for identity theft to work and also anyone who needs to rebuild credit without emergency cash loans will really need this.

Using 888-5-OPTOUT to make credit card offers stop

888-5-OPTOUT calls help any person who needs to stop all of the direct marketing that comes their way. The mail won’t bring you offers for credit products such as credit cards any more. You will have to give your social security number from your home line. The Federal Trade Commission has recommended this meaning it is safe to give out these numbers.

Letters are an additional way

Similar to the 888-5-OPTOUT telephone option, consumers can opt-out of pre-approved credit offers and related advertising via mail. Here’s a sample opt-out letter. Make certain that your request is sent to all 3 credit bureaus:

Options
Equifax, Inc.
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123

Experian
901 West Bond
Lincoln, NE 68521
Attn: Consumer Services Department

TransUnion
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 505
Woodlyn, PA 19094

Why many were previously confused with 888-5-OPTOUT

Several years ago, there was a widespread e-mail message that extolled the virtues of 888-5-OPTOUT, but it did so with erroneous details. As outlined by the email, info would be given to “anyone who requests it” unless you opted out with the number. The Financial Services Modernization Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act would both be violated if this happened, reports Clearinghouse. Many were confused wondering if 888-5-OPTOUT is part of this, although it isn’t. There wasn’t any point in this controversy.

888-5-OPTOUT could be really helpful for the users using it. Avoid the credit card trap, stay away from identity theft and maybe you’ll be in a position where you won’t need bad credit loans.

More on this topic

CBS Money Watch

moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/privacy-pirates-7-ways-to-hide/2702/

FTC

ftc.gov/privacy/protect.shtm”>Federal Trade Commission

Privacy Rights

privacyrights.org/ar/optout_truth.htm”>Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

Opt out of junk mail

youtube.com/watch?v=gjbPo1diCKo

Unemployed foreclosure loans get one more $ 3 billion from Obama

The Obama administration is pumping $ 3 billion into programs to help the unemployed with foreclosure prevention. Last week the administration announced plans to allocate $ 2 billion toward the Hardest Hit Fund, doubling the size of the program. $ 1 billion was given to a program to help unemployed borrowers who have delinquencies on their mortgages called Housing and Urban Development. This could very well help banks rather than homeowners which concerns numerous experts. Article resource – Obama throws an additional $ 3 billion at unemployed foreclosure loans by Personal Money Store.

Trying to stop foreclosure makes for a money pit

To fend off an epidemic of unemployed foreclosures, the Hardest Hit Fund was launched in February as a way to help states design their own foreclosure prevention programs. As outlined by the Wall Street Journal, the program works with 10 states at present. The Troubled Asset Relief Program has $ 50 billion total to hand out witch then gets put into housing aid. 17 states will be able to take advantage of the $ 2 billion, such as the District of Columbia, that have unemployment rates super high. Another $ 1 billion goes to HUD for providing interest-free bridge loans of up to $ 50,000 for eligible unemployed borrowers to be used to make mortgage payments for up to two years.

Hardest Hit Fund is nothing

The economic recovery is going down because of the housing market, which historically has helped all the recessions. As outlined by the New York Times, having interest rates so low doesn’t help anything considering nobody can afford to refinance or buy a home. Everyone who’s an unemployed homeowner has a very difficult time selling their home. The housing market gets worse with foreclosures make neighborhood values go down. About 140,000 people could be helped with the Hardest Hit Fund. With the new money, both the Hardest Hit and HUD programs could eventually help about 400,000 borrowers — a drop within the bucket set against 14.6 million unemployed and 3 million unemployed borrowers contemplating foreclosure.

Deal seems great for mortgage lenders

It is likely that Obama has just helped a bunch of banks out more than unemployed homeowners with these new programs. David Abromowitz, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, told The Hill that banks should be required to share the burden being faced by unemployed borrowers. He said the main problem with the funding is that mortgage lenders don’t have to make principle reductions on loans or any major modifications. Concessions should be make by lenders along with matching the funding, says Abromowitz. The Hill also interviewed Dean Baker from the Center for Economic and Policy Research who said that funding wouldn’t even help individuals with underwater mortgages. Dean thinks that the programs won’t work because homeowners without equity in their homes are bound to lose it at the end of the whole process anyway.

Further reading on this topic

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704901104575423493999575302.html

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/12/business/12treasury.html

The Hill

thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/banking-financial-institutions/114349-banks-to-benefit-most-from-white-house-program-to-stave-off-foreclosures

Mortgage closing costs are trending upwards

One of the costs of a mortgage loan is the closing costs, or the fee you pay when you finally pay your mortgage off or sell your home. The average closing costs nationally cost about ten times as much as a payday loan. The national average for closing costs has been going up. New regulations are in place, and with the turmoil of the real estate industry, it will be hard to tell when it has recovered.

States with high closing costs

New York, as outlined by Bankrate, has the honor of having the highest closing costs in the nation. New York closing costs would send King Midas out for a money advance. For a $ 200,000 mortgage, closing costs are $ 5,623 in New York. It would be nice to get mortgage loan modification and closing cost modification at the exact same time. A lot of individuals are strapped for cash, and since not every person maintains enough instant money for these kinds of fees, it would send most people out looking for a personal unsecured loan. Texas, Utah, California and Alaska were the five most expensive states to close a mortgage in.

Closing costs are increasing everywhere

Since last year, closing costs for mortgage loans went up by 36.6 percent. Fees from lenders went up 22.8 percent and fees from third parties went up by 47.2 percent. The average for this year went up to $ 3,741 from last year’s $ 2,739. That’s more than $ 1,000 more which is about three times the size of a typical cash til payday. As the market has become somewhat depressed, getting funding together for mortgage loans is a harder thing these days. There is also a lot more regulation concerning consumer finance.

More expensive for lenders to operate

Costs for lenders to do business has gone up too. Mortgage lenders are required to estimate what the closing costs could be, and if they lowball the estimate they get fined. Borrowers getting sold on a higher rate than they could have gotten can’t be incentivized anymore as the Federal Reserve, according to the Los Angeles Times, changed some rules governing loan brokers. However, if turning a profit depends entirely on bilking the consumer, then change is needed to a business.

Read more on this topic here

Bankrate

bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/2010-closing-costs/

LA Times

latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/08/federal-reserve-mortgage-lender-bonuses.html

Make certain you know when your credit card limit is sliced

A final round of new credit card rules intended to protect consumers goes into effect on Aug. 22. Banks and credit card companies have been raising interest rates and fees and slashing credit limits in the run-up to the new credit card rules. Many of the time when the economy is down so far, credit limits are cut like this. But cardholders’ credit scores get hurt by it, through no fault of their own. You will find options for individuals who want to either stop their credit limit from going down or even make it go up. Source for this article – Keep your credit card limit from being slashed without warning by Personal Money Store.

Credit card limits all dropping

During the recession, most credit card companies are harder on their consumers. Many credit card-issuing banks are trying to rein in risk amid increasing delinquencies and charge-offs — and before the final round of new credit card rules goes into effect. There are many people getting their good credit scores hurt because of slashed credit card limits, reports Bankrate.com. Dennis C. Moroney, research director of bank cards at TowerGroup, told Bankrate that credit card companies are reducing credit lines and closing accounts. Numerous individuals are having a difficult time borrowing money, even those with high credit score between 720 and 750.

Credit limits make credit scores drop

In just the last few years, over 60 million cardholders have had issues with losing credit limits. Credit Card Guide reports that numerous individuals hit by credit limit cuts haven’t committed any of the typical “risk triggers” banks use to assess credit worthiness, like regular late payments or high credit card balances. Having your credit limit cut isn’t just an inconvenience for people. It also hurts numerous credit scores of cardholders who have had outstanding balances on their cards. Considering debt-to-credit ratios are an extremely significant part of a credit score, this can be a much bigger deal to cut credit lines than numerous realize.

Making sure you don’t get your credit card limits cut

Anyone trying to keep their credit limits from going down or help their credit go up should listen to advice given at Credit Card Guide by Eva Norlyk Smith. Calling and asking is the first thing to do. A credit limit increase is accessible to most credit card accounts at least once a year. Always settle the balance in full every month. You need to be using your credit card a lot, although you shouldn’t use more than 50 percent of the line of credit. Make certain you pay all of it off on time. Don’t ask credit card companies to pull your credit report, don’t get any new credit cards, and don’t cancel any cards. A credit check hurts a credit score as much as applying for a new credit card.

Additional reading

Bankrate

bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/credit-card-issuers-slash-credit-limits-1.aspx

Credit Card guide

creditcardguide.com/creditcards/credit-card-tips/higher-credit-limit-6-dos-donts-342/

$ 298 million paid by Barclays Bank because of sanctions violations

The United States holds major sway on the world stage. International finance is definitely an area where the nation has some power, which is why charges were brought against England’s Barclays Bank so very easily. The Washington Post reports that federal prosecutors accused Barclays of violating U.S. sanctions against Cuba, Iran, Libya, Sudan and Burma for more than a decade, from March 1995 to September 2006. The New York branch cleared through Barclays over $ 500 million that went to all of the nations that are enemies to the U.S.. Barclays basically admitted to the crime considering a settlement for the criminal charges was agreed to for $ 298 million, reports Reuters. Article source – Barclays Bank pays $ 298 million for sanctions violations by Personal Money Store.

Prosecutors think Barclays tried hiding what happened

The banks which were sanctioned in other countries weren’t named in the Barclays documents. An internal account was used for all of the payments made as the bank didn’t want to be connected to the other countries. Barclays is in all this trouble because they traded with the enemy and violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, according to chief of the U.S. Justice Department’s asset forfeiture and money-laundering division, Jennifer Calvery.

Cuba has had U.S. sanctions against them since Kennedy although the others came later like Libya in 1986, Iran in 1995, Sudan and Burma in 1997.

Some Barclays transactions disclosed

According to Reuters, all related documents are being given to the U.S. government investigators by Barclays Bank in cooperation. The documents haven’t been given to the U.S. completely. The settlement of $ 289 million is split into two payments of $ 149 million which can be distributed right away and then later.

Human rights violations and the American way

The past has shown Cuba, Iran, Libya, Sudan and Burma all having human rights violations against them in history. Supporting U.S. enemies through U.S. soul was a bad move for Barclays, although Barclays isn’t the only one who has made this mistake. The United States will fight to enforce its right-of-way. It is said by The Decemberists’ song “Sixteen Military Wives”,

Cheer them on to their rivals
Cause America can, and America can’t say no
And America does, if America says it’s so
It’s so!

Additional reading at these websites

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67F36J20100816?utm_source=feedburner and amp;utm_medium=feed and amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/16/AR2010081602955.html

Barclays was previously fined £ 2.45 million ($ 3.8 million) for “poor reporting systems”

youtube.com/watch?v=zqsf3XswX4Q

Groupon challenges Chicago man to live on coupons for a year

Living on nothing but Groupons for a year is the goal for Josh Stevens. The Groupon challenge is a dare the online coupon company made earlier this year. Groupon challenged all comers to see if they could live off nothing but unlimited free Groupons for 12 months. Stevens took the plunge. Living life as the “Groupawn,” he’s about a quarter of the way through his year of travelling the country chasing Groupon deals for his basic needs. In Stevens’ Groupon universe, those basics can consist of carriage rides, yoga classes, boat cruises and lots of food.

Groupon blog tracks discounted adventures

Stevens, who used to be a corporate auditor, left his cubicle behind and accepted the Groupon challenge in May. He told CNN that he started with one pair of shoes, socks, underwear and a paper suit made of Groupons. A laptop, camera, internet card and phone were also supplied by Groupon.Stevens can’t use or even touch cash, but he’s supplied with online coupons that can be used for lodging, dining and buying. He must travel solo and only five visits from family or friends, lasting no more than a day, are allowed.As he barters his way across the country using Groupon coupons, his exploits can be reviewed in the Groupawn blog.

Groupawn guy gains a following

Stevens wins $ 100,000 if he completes the challenge. Last weekend, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel caught up with Stevens.He was hitting Milwaukee to take advantage of his latest Groupon deal. The Sentinel said Stevens thought a lot more bartering on the street would be required as he traveled. But when he talks about what he’s doing individuals want to become part of it.He arrived in Milwaukee more than three months into his Groupons tour, which has taken him to New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and several other cities so far.

Purchasing into the Groupon business model

Groupons are daily deals offered by local merchants sold on the company’s website. The site offers Groupon deals in more than 165 markets in 22 nations to 11 million subscribers. The deal doesn’t become valid until a certain number of individuals purchase the offer. When the quota is met, owners of the offer receive an email link that allows them to print their Groupon. The offer is pulled if the quota isn’t reached. If the offer is cancelled, the charges are voided.

Caught off guard by Groupons

The Groupon business model has proven so lucrative that at least 500 copycat websites have emerged, according to the Chicago Tribune. But Groupon coupons can backfire for a business promoting its products and services . Many Chicago merchants, the Tribune reports, have been burned by the scale of the response. A Groupon promotion launched by a Chicago bagel company sold an $ 8 voucher for any menu item for $ 3. Nearly 10,000 Groupons sold. After splitting 50 percent of the revenue with Groupon, the standard deal for most businesses, the bagel shop netted about $ 15,000 for giving up $ 80,000 worth of food.

Further reading

CNN

cnn.com

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

jsonline.com

Chicago Tribune

chicagotribune.com

What to do when reprogramming your engine computer

Flashing — or erasing and reprogramming — your engine’s computer is a legitimate way to keep a car’s engine control modules (ECMs) up to date. Cars newer than 1996 should have this done in order to make sure that microprocessors such as the power train and fuel injectors work the right way. If the programming is optimized, your car’s engine tends to run much more efficiently. It’s a bountiful cash crop for repair shops, who tend to charge between $ 80 and $ 120 for the service, as outlined by Under hood Service. Your car can be flashed by you if you have the right equipment around.
Source of article – How to reprogram your engine computer by Car Deal Expert.

How to reprogram an engine computer

Under the steering wheel within the car is a diagnostic port in a car which needs a scanner attached to it when reprogramming an engine computer. The auto manufacturer has put new programming into this scanner which erases the old and replaces with the new. It used to be that it was necessary to remove parts in order to complete the reprogramming process, but now all that’s necessary is a computer with an Internet connection, a USB cable and a scanning device that can connect with a car’s diagnostic port. The ECM is flashed with the new software direct from the manufacturer’s site.

When an ECM should be flashed?

Auto repair shops say flashing should be done once each and every few years, and this may be appropriate. However, it’s typically only something that needs to be addressed on a need-to basis, unless a sweeping pronouncement is issued by the manufacturer as part of a recall movement. Routine maintenance shouldn’t include flashing when doing anything else to make certain your car works.

Getting the job done with DAY flasher

It is simple to do usually. Consult with your automobile manufacturer’s website for software updates. A flash programming device is what you’ll need to download the update to. Additional software for proper engine tuning may be necessary. Consult sources such as DIYEFI.org for more specific details. Before doing anything, your state’s motor car authority should be consulted considering states like California have touch emissions testing making it illegal to do some different engine reprogramming.

Get auto loans to help purchase your new car with new ECM programming already

Discover more details on this subject

Underhood Services

underhoodservice.com/Article/39556/flash_reprogramming_vehicle_computers.aspx

Scotty Kilmer on reprogramming your car’s computer

youtube.com/watch?v=Mc0aMxSdat4

DIYEFI

diyefi.org/index.htm

What was Robert Gibbs talking about?

In a recent interview, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs decried a shadowy group of individuals, known as the “professional left.” Though it reminds one of the idealistic days when Dan Quayle was Vice President, it paints a telling portrait of the mood within the Oval Office.

Gibbs likes the office casual left

Liberals not yet completely satisfied with Obama are the “professional left” that Press Secretary is likely referring to, though some are totally still amateurs. In an interview with The Hill, he said that this shadow cabal of malcontents would only be happy with a health care plan akin to Canada’s and when the Pentagon is done away with. He mentioned that some individuals were comparing Obama with George Bush, and people who did should be “drug tested.” The White House Press Secretary also purported they wouldn’t be happy “even if Dennis Kucinich was President.”

Exactly who does he mean?

Lots of liberals and progressives were less than thrilled that he ditched the public option and has done little on LGBT issues. Critics also point out little has been done about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. He didn’t articulate the exact identity of who the professional left are. The interview was published today Gibbs was conspicuously absent from the White House press conference that day. Replacement Bill Burton maintained that Gibbs was sick.

Not probably the most artful of phrases

Who he meant exactly is unknown, what he was talking about is. The fact is that no matter what an elected official does, it is never good enough for some individuals, and others just love to complain.

Find more data on this subject

The Hill

thehill.com/homenews/administration/113431-white-house-unloads-on-professional-left

Drug-resistant superbug gene looked at as a global threat

A new superbug disease could become a world-wide threat, thanks to Brits seeking out cheap face lifts in India and bringing home more than mementos. A new class of superbug has infected plastic surgery clients in south Asia who have carried it to the U.K., from where it could spread around the globe. A gene interchangeable among bacteria in the new superbug makes infections resistant to probably the most powerful antibiotic drugs ever made. While Large Pharma chases lucrative conditions like erectile dysfunction, experts say governments have to do something to encourage more investment in antibiotic research.

Superbug gene turns bacteria into virulent killers

A new superbug infection threatens to go global after being carried to Britain from India by medical tourists. Scientists say you will find almost no drugs to treat it. Reuters reports that researchers have found a new gene called New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase, or NDM-1, in patients in south Asia and in Britain. Bacteria are altered by the NDM-1 gene to become highly resistant to most antibiotics, including carbapenems-the most powerful class accessible. There are no new antibiotics in the research pipeline to combat the new gene, drug experts have said. Timothy Walsh, who led the study, told Reuters he fears the new superbug could soon spread across the globe with international travel for cheap cosmetic surgery procedures increasing.

Superbug lives to migrate and mutate

In an article published online Wednesday in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, the researchers said the superbug gene was already circulating widely in India, where the health care system is much less likely to detect it or have adequate antibiotics to fight it. The Associated Press reports that after going to India or Pakistan for plastic surgery, 37 people in Britain with drug-resistant infections were diagnosed with the superbug gene. The superbug gene has also been detected by medical researchers in Australia, Canada, the Americas, the Netherlands and Sweden . The superbug gene is found on DNA structures, called plasmids, that can be very easily copied and transferred between bacteria, giving the superbug “an alarming potential to spread and diversify,” the authors said.

Money motivates Large Pharma

The pharmaceutical industry lacks interest in superbugs. Bacteria’s ability to develop resistance easily narrows the commercial opportunity for new antibiotics . The Wall Street Journal reports that to ensure they get an adequate return on investment to shareholders for addressing a global health threat, some pharmaceutical businesses are looking for government subsidies. They say future earnings are also threatened by strict demands on research and development from regulators. Even so, some large drug makers are engaged in antibiotic research, including Pfizer and Merck within the U.S., Novartis in Switzerland and GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca within the U.K.

More on this topic

Reuters

reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67A0YU20100811

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gpFQ3Bz7hIFhSsHlYpROVwTVwwoAD9HHAI6G0

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100811-710190.html

Don't spend too much on wiper blades

Everyone gets caught like a cat within the rain sometimes. You will need to be able to see when you are in a vehicle during those times. Wiper blades must be in good condition in order to effectively whisk moisture from the windshield. Streaking and smearing should be minimal. Price doesn’t affect wiper blades, reports Consumer Reports. Article source – Wiper blades need not whisk away excess dollars by Car Deal Expert.

Wiper blades back in the day

You used to pull a lever inside the car to operate your windshield wipers. Cars now use wipers electronically by a simple push of a button. Your windshield will stay very clean with wiper blades that work and an automatic system with your car. Add heated wiper blades that plug into a car’s 12-volt electrical system like Everblades and even ice and snow are melted away. 185 cars were tested by Consumer Reports and it was shown the Valeo 600 series, Anco 31 series and Michelin RainForce are the best windshield wipers.

Even costly wiper blades wear down in six to nine months

Aside from the RainX Latitude brand, Consumer Reports saw marked degradation of wiper blades after half a year or more. After a long time frame, there are more areas within the windshield that don’t get clean. Consumer Reports also discovered in a 185-car sample that numerous had been using wipers that had degraded beyond recommended safe use. The owner’s simply hadn’t noticed; more likely, they’d become accustomed to poor driving visibility.

It is not hard to work with new wiper blades

It is easy to replace wipers with a hook that is on most vehicles. The new blades should simply snap into place. You are paying too much if your wipers take too much effort to put in.

Owner’s manual gives you information

Remember the mantra “Check the owner’s manual.” You are able to get the info online or check inside your vehicle for it. This is where you can find the info about proper maintenance of your vehicle . As far as wiper blades go, each six to 12 months is reasonable time for replacement. If you are worried about getting the right wiper blade size, just bring it to the store to compare.

Further reading

Consumer Reports

consumerreports.org/cro/cars/tires-auto-parts/auto-parts/windshield-wipers/overview/windshield-wipers-ov.htm

Everblades

everblades.com/

How Stuff Works

howstuffworks.com/wiper.htm

YouTube

How to change your windshield wiper blades

youtube.com/watch?v=cJN7NqkUd1k

You would be amazed at who needs guaranteed loans

Personal finance and high corporate finance are not as different as you may think. The corporations which need some guaranteed loans at a while, or at least a line of credit in case they need a short term loan are some of the biggest names out there. Even the Ford Motor Company got guaranteed loans at some time. Ford is in debt relief mode. Meanwhile, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae need more guaranteed loans to stay afloat.

Guaranteed loans for Ford

To keep from needing bailout cash and filing for bankruptcy, Ford Motor Company took out $ 23.5 billion in guaranteed loans from the government. During the auto bailout, Ford didn’t need any auto loan application, but merely asked for lines of credit as a contingency. It turned out not asking for emergency money from the government at that moment panned out. As Chrysler and GM tried to figure things out, as outlined by the Wall Street Journal, Ford saw a 22 percent jump in sales. Sometimes just knowing you have the access to credit is a confidence boost, if you absolutely need a loan until payday.

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 alone lost $ 6 billion over the second quarter this year, according to ABC. The cash hemorrhaging firm is asking for one more $ 1.8 billion from taxpayers. The twin mortgage giants are struggling, and both have less than two years to get their affairs in order. That’s when the Treasury Department’s teat will run dry.

Credit scores affect huge companies too

Ford could be able to get better loans, as they pay off debt and improve the company’s credit worthiness. It is like an individual paying down their credit card to improve their credit history; it works for the biggest corporations too.

Additional reading

online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703589404575417491742322262.html

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

Anti-taxation and the de-evolution of America

The American individuals are sleeping at the switch when it comes to being familiar with the role taxation plays in creating the necessary revenue for basic community services. In a recent New York Times piece, Paul Krugman argues that we should all be worried over this. Tax revenue could keep people safer and educate them, but the anti-taxation movement maintains strong resistance. Cutbacks run deep, and not enough tea partiers seem to understand that tax dollars could change those fortunes.

Poor local governments wonder, ‘Why no new taxes’?

While various economic theories exist regarding taxation, it is difficult to dispute that tax boosts could help local governments provide more reliable important services. Krugman sees how the government issues bonds at 1.04 percent but then turns around and claims they can’t help support local governments in trouble. The fed could possibly be doing more to assist. Priorities are totally out of whack, says Krugman. The richest two percent would evidently rather watch Rome burn than pay more taxes as they did during the Clinton administration – when the Americas last experienced an economic boom.

Cutbacks equal higher unemployment

Families are reeling as state and local governments are pulling more vital services off the table. Couple that with a slow in federal spending and Krugman warns that America is stuck in reverse. An employed teacher serves the community and creates a definite job. Allow millionaires to keep more of their money and when that could translate into job creation, there’s also a definite possibility the Chicken Little “sky is falling” mentality will prompt the rich to stash their cash away.

Demonizing the public sector

There is a definite belief the public section cannot manage money to spite itself. Tea party anti-government, anti-taxation rhetoric has been couched in terms of avoiding waste and fraud. Krugman argues that there was never so much waste as the right claimed, however. Witnessing how much ground America has lost in terms of education and infrastructure should be enough evidence to suggest that America is not in fact sidetracked by oppressive taxation. The result of tax fear and decaying programs, writes Krugman, is that America is in a dark place, indeed.

More on this topic

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/08/09/opinion/09krugman.html?_r=1 and amp;partner=rssnyt and amp;emc=rss

FHA mortgages facing rate increases

The Federal Housing Administration is supposed to help guarantee low income mortgages. The FHA does not directly provide no credit loans for homes, but guarantees loans to certain classes of borrowers. To hedge against the possibility of loans going bad, the FHA is legally required to keep 2 percent reserves – but they currently only have about .53 percent. Interest rates on FHA loans could be going up on September 7, though there are plans in place to really help reduce average payments. Article source – Federal Housing Administration plans mortgage rate increases by Personal Money Store.

FHA provides bad credit loans

The home mortgage loans the FHA backs are generally targeted to borrowers with bad credit that need cash now. The FHA loan programs help reduce the necessary down payment. With an FHA loan, the borrower has to put down about 3.5 percent of the value of the home. Some senators tried to increase the required down payment to 5 percent, but the bill was struck down. The FHA presently originates about 20 percent of all mortgage loans.

Reserves required of the FHA

The loans guaranteed by the FHA could only be covered at a rate of .53 percent. According to the federal regulations governing the FHA, they should have 2 percent of their loan amount held in reserve. The FHA has requested to increase the rates for making up this gap. The FHA was given permission to increase the premium on home mortgage insurance that they offer by 1 percent. This change will take effect on September 7, but the FHA plans on phasing in the changes. This change will raise a little over $ 3.5 billion per year.

Change in FHA loan payments

There can be a relatively small increase, if any, within the overall cost of an FHA loan for new borrowers. To offset the amount of cash paid over the life of the loan, the FHA will reduce origination fees. Loan origination fees will go from 2.25 percent of the value of the loan down to 1 percent. The effect, within the end, is that FHA loan holders will have to pay $ 40 per month more when they hold their loan .

Tibetan Mastiff popularity raising questions of animal well being

Some individuals are very concerned about the rise in popularity of Tibetan Mastiff canines in China. For centuries, the Tibetan Mastiff was thought to be the protector of Tibet. With price tags as high as $ 600,000 for a purebred animal, Tibetan Mastiffs are concerning some animal welfare activists.

The history of the Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Mastiff dogs were, at one point, considered a holy animal. A Tibetan Mastiff is considered a sign of both home and security. Weighing in at as much as 180 pounds, some Tibetan Mastiffs are huge. A truly purebred Tibetan Mastiff dog is rare. Some breeders will even poach a purebred Tibetan Mastiff if they find them.

Keeping a Tibetan Mastiff in China

For many years in China, the Communist Party banned the ownership of dogs as pets. The Party considered owning a dog a sign of the “bourgeois” society. Though dog ownership isn’t banned anymore, it does take at least $ 100 and a number of months to get them licensed and registered. Before the owner can register or keep a dog, it must be approved both by the neighborhood and local police. The dog also needs identification paperwork that consists of passport photos, a registration document, copy of the property title or lease and a yearly renewal. On top of the high cost of a purebred Mastiff, these additional costs make owning a dog as a pet a huge financial investment.

Pets as a status symbol at risk?

Though the Tibetan Mastiff is usually regarded as a very kind and friendly pet, many of the wealthy owners and breeders that deal in Tibetan Mastiffs view them as more than pets. For example, the couple that purchased Yangtze River Number Two, a Tibetan Mastiff, for $ 600,000 typically keep him in a cage. The obsession with Tibetan Mastiffs is called “dangerous” by the International Center for Veterinary Services in Beijing. The Centre notes that most of these “pets” are kept in cages and put on display more than treated like pets. Many breeders and owners point out that they spend extensive amounts of time and cash caring for these pets.

Further reading

MSNBC

today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38263729/ns/today-today_pets_and_animals

Global Times

globaltimes.cn/www/english/metro-beijing/lifestyle/fashion and amp;shopping/2010-04/524055.html

Americans live in a plutonomy

It has been proposed that the United States is not truly a capitalist county, but instead a “plutonomy.” Plutonomy is a portmanteau of plutocracy and economy, and it means that the American economy is run and owned by the richest of the rich. Some individuals insist the U.S. economy was that way to begin with. Recent figures indicate that the richest few are what have driven any relative improvements within the economy. Source of article – Economists suggest the United States has become a plutonomy by Personal Money Store.

Even cartoon dogs wouldn’t like living in a plutonomy

What the term plutonomy implies is the economy is driven by and depends on a small number of the wealthiest individuals. There is reason to think any “improvements” during the recession have everything to do with the spending habits of the richest few. The Wall Street Journal reported on the findings of Moody’s of consumer spending patterns. Within the last 20 years, 37 percent of all consumers spending was from the richest 5 percent. The bottom 80 percent only spent about 40 percent. The richest 10 percent make about half the income of the U.S.

The numbers work

As of 2006, 10 percent of the nation holds 70 percent of the wealth, as outlined by a Federal Reserve study by Arthur Kennickell. That means for each dollar of value in the sum total of all non-public assets of the United States, 90 percent of the population owns only 30 cents worth. The trickle Reagan talked about was no trickle going down; it was a tsunami going upwards.

Of, by, and for the rich

It has been suggested by some historians for instance Howard Zinn, among others, the American Founding Fathers were all the richest men in the nation. The commoners were less affected by British taxes than the rich were. Thus, they revolted and established a nation in which they would enjoy an oligarchy of advantage. No less than James Madison estimated only a 3rd of Americans were in favor of the Revolution. Republics inherently favor the growth of aristocracy and oligarchies. If there is a universal predictor of the collapse of a society, it is the wealthiest few taking economic ownership of the numerous.

Additional reading

online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703988304575413432696177258.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_inequality_in_the_United_States

federalreserve.gov/pubs/feds/2006/200613/200613pap.pdf – PDF, needs Adobe Reader

Jenny DryErase quitting all fake as outlined by Elyse Porterfield

Employees have really been looking up the Jenny DryErase and also the Slater, the Jetblue flight attendant, as icons when it comes to their jobs. TheChive.com explained Wednesday that the Jenny DryErase story was just a big joke being played with Elyse Porterfield playing the part as Jenny. Post resource – Elyse Porterfield reveals that Jenny DryErase quitting was a hoax by Personal Money Store.

TheChive.com hires Elyse Porterfield for latest hoax

TheChive.com is a humor site run by a team of two brothers. The brothers wrote and plotted the “Jenny DryErase” hoax, then hired Elyse Porterfield to play the part. Elyse Porterfield just moved from Colorado to Los Angeles to be an actress. Numerous individuals have already joined a “Jenny DryErase” group where she is encouraged to pose for Playboy because of her good looks.

Humor hoaxes within the past

The “real” news story has had other hoaxes done besides “Jenny DryErase” before. When a seemingly plausible story is posted online with not much detail, it can be very quickly picked up. This has been seen on the Donald Trump Tip hoax, which claimed that Trump left a very large tip on an $ 82 bill. The “Teen Texting Disaster” is an additional one on TheChive.com that is popular. All that has to be done to create these hoaxes is to find a quite girl or famous person to mess with, create a story that could possibly be real and tell the public it has all happened.

Elyse Porterfield gets job offers

TheChive gets a lot of advertising to their site from “humor hoaxes” like this. Elyse Porterfield is working in Los Angeles although she was increasing in Colorado. She is often hired as an Angelina Jolie look-alike. This had made her more popular with more than 3,000 likes on her page now. TheChive.com got its name out as a hoax and comedy website, but this upstart actress may truly be the one to benefit from “Jenny DryErase.”

Discover more information on this subject

TheChive

thechive.com

One-month increase shown with trade deficit widening

Wall Street started going crazy after a trade deficit increase was shown Wednesday by the Commerce Department for the month of June. After narrowing in recent months, the U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly widened in June by a record $ 7.9 billion. Stocks quickly went down. Last quarter the trade deficit had slowed more than analysts thought. The recession could go into a double-dip with the trade deficit so unstable.

Trade deficit because of the dollar

The Commerce Department said the trade deficit ballooned much more than analysts expected in June, after the stronger dollar made it easier for people in the U.S. to purchase cheaper exports, particularly from China. The gap widened to $ 49.9 billion, up from a revised $ 42.0 billion in May. It was expected that the gap would get smaller because oil prices have been going down, reports the Washington Post. In May imports were at $ 194.4 billion. They then rose to $ 200.3 billion in June when more consumer products, auto parts and other things were being bought out of the country. Exports fell to $ 150.5 billion from $ 152.4 billion. U.S. companies struggled to sell products such as industrial supplies, food and consumer goods to foreign customers.

Trade deficit isn’t really as forecasted

73 economists forecasted in a Bloomberg News Survey that $ 42.1 billion was going to be the trade deficit. The decline ended up being $ 42.3 billion instead which was a 19 percent decrease. Bloomberg reports the June trade deficit adjusted for inflation, which is the figure used to calculate gross domestic product, increased to $ 54.1 billion, the highest since February 2008 during the worst of the financial crisis. The disappointing numbers prompted some economists to lower estimates for second-quarter growth to around 1 percent to 1.5 percent.

U.S. unemployment issues more of a problem}

Economists don’t agree on whether the trade deficit in June’s sudden and marked increase means the U.S. is in danger of heading into a double-dip recession. According to the Christian Science Monitor, the trade deficit is not as much of a problem as U.S. unemployment rates. Trade deficits coexisted with domestic job growth for years prior to the recession. The more significant issue is reviving domestic consumer demand and business investment.

Could unemployment be happening because of the deficit

If global commerce is hurt as the U.S. fixes the trade deficit problem, economists are concerned that economic recovery might just take longer, reports the Monitor article. Other economists think the trade deficit problem has got to be worked on. Peter Morici, University of Maryland economist, explained that unemployment is about 10 percent in the U.S. when China accounts for almost all of the trade deficit with the oil and consumer goods bought from them.

Additional reading

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/11/AR2010081103472_2.html?sid=ST2010081102399

Debt indicators no longer available making it extremely hard to get refund anticipation loans

Debt indicators — IRS information about back taxes and other debts taxpayers owe — are going away. Tax preparers were warned by the IRS with debt indicators that back taxes and other debt may be paid off with the tax refund. Debt indicators are used by refund anticipation loan banks to determine whether to make short-term loans to customers backed by their tax refund.

Debt indicators not allowed in 2011 tax season

Saying they are no longer needed, the IRS announced Aug. 5 that it will stop providing debt indicators beginning with the upcoming 2011 tax season. Electronic filing and direct deposit lets taxpayers get their refund in a matter of days. The IRS said that eliminates the necessity for refund anticipation loans. Many companies use anticipation loans for much of their service to the underbanked and unbanked, meaning eliminating debt indicators is bad for their business.

Debt indicators help banks detect delinquents

There are many banks thriving off of refund anticipation loans, and they need debt indicators to tell them what rate of interest to give, how much to loan, and what kind of loan to give out. Journal of Accountancy reports that until now, when a tax preparer e-filed a client’s tax return, the IRS included a debt indicator in the acknowledgment file if the taxpayer would have any portion of the tax refund offset for delinquent taxes or other debts, including unpaid child support or delinquent federally funded student loans.

IRS feels strongly against refund anticipation loans

For giving someone cash just a few days before a tax refund arrives with high interest rates and fees, short term refund anticipation loans have been criticized by many. In 2008, 8.4 million taxpayers paid more than $ 738 million in fees for refund anticipation loans, according to the National Consumer Law Center. The Associated Press talked to IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman who said that those who are considered low-income are the ones targeted by anticipation loans. The longest it would take to get a tax refund would be 10 days when filing electronically and getting direct deposits. He explained:

“I think it’s unfortunate that there’s a lot of hardworking Americans that are in a financial situation where they have to pay a substantial fee to access their refunds a week or two before they can get it from the IRS.”

Lenders of refund anticipation loans mad

Companies that facilitate refund anticipation loans argue that debt indicators let taxpayers who are strapped for cash get their money faster. MarketWatch reports that Alan Bennett, president and CEO of H and R Block, said the IRS decision to ax the debt indicator would hurt consumers with considerably lower refund anticipation loan approval rates and higher costs for probably the most vulnerable taxpayers. He said these consumers are often unbanked or under-banked and can be forced to seek more costly and unregulated credit. Shares will go down 3 percent in 2011 making it go to 5 cents a share for H and R Block because of this.

Find more information on this subject

Journal of Accountancy

journalofaccountancy.com/Web/20103174.htm

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gZhidWFh-omq3dh3M486iDXA4JbAD9HDHDKG0

MarketWatch

marketwatch.com/story/hr-block-responds-to-irs-elimination-of-the-debt-indicator-2010-08-05?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Michelle Obama faces criticism for expensive vacation in Spain

According to Fox News, first lady Michelle Obama is under fire for taking a private, luxurious trip to Spain with daughter Sasha and various Obama family friends. Of course, the so-called private vacation has easily turned into a public affair, as the media is already criticizing her each and every movement. Now every person wants in on every little thing the first lady’s private vacation entails.

Travel warning issued where first lady vacations, in Spain

When President Obama dined with talk show mega-star Oprah Winfrey in Chicago for his 49th birthday, first lady Michelle Obama took 9-year-old Sasha and several friends of the family on a escape getaway in Spain. The escape was described by the White House as a four-day “private trip” to the beautiful southern coast of the country. When some dodged talks about the price of the trip, others voiced concerns of safety.

The State Department, according to Fox News, had issued a travel warning for all Americans traveling to Spain, as “racist prejudices can result in the arrest of Afro-Americans who travel to Spain,” a message just lately posted on its website. The wording, however, can no longer be found, as it seems it was easily pulled when the first lady and daughter Sasha left on their trip. When asked if there was a travel warning for Spain, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said, “I don’t believe so.”

The price tag on first lady’s Spain vacation

The biggest worry concerning the first lady’s getaway trip to Spain is the overall cost of the trip and the affect it has on taxpayer cash. On Thursday, New York Daily News writer Andrea Tantaros trash-talked Michelle Obama, calling her a “modern day Marie Antoinette” for taking such a lavish vacation when the majority of the United States of America is financially struggling. According to Yahoo News, the first lady and companions are staying at the luxury Hotel Villa Padierna, often referred to as one of the world’s top 10 hotels, with rates that range from $ 500 to $ 2,500 a night.

Whether it was the Obama delegation or Secret Service that chose the location, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has stated that the first lady will pay for her own personal expenses, as will the private entourage traveling with her. However, since the first lady has full-time Secret Service protection and has to travel on board an official Air Force charter plane, which is covered by taxpayers, the entire trip’s cost will not be fully covered with personal out-of-the-pocket cash.

Additional reading

politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/08/05/first-lady-michelle-obama-and-daughter-sasha-vacationing-spain-amid-warnings-"racist-prej

news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100805/pl_yblog_upshot/first-lady-under-fire-for-her-glitzy-spanish-vacation

Partisan politics and small business lending bill together

The Small business Jobs and Credit Act was proposed to deliver cheap capital to community banks for small business lending. Unemployment creates a kind of pressure on the Obama administration to make more jobs available. That is why they made the Small business Jobs and Credit Act. Before August though, partisan bickering made it extremely hard for the act to be passed. September is when politicians could be able to discuss the business credit and tax relief. Meanwhile, an underused program designed to boost small company credit — the Small business Association Arc Loan Program — expires in September.

Tax relief and small company lending possible with bill

$ 30 billion could be put in a lending fund with the bill that is also called by some the Small business Jobs Act. Banks with less than $ 10 billion in assets tend to be the ones lending to small business, reports CNNMoney.com. By pumping capital into community banks, the idea is it will get in the hands of businesses. The bill also would make between 2010 and 2020 some tax relief for small businesses possible. Loan incentives would be extended while SBA loan limits would extend. More companies are encouraged with the tax cuts. Also, state governments with no money left will see $ 1.5 billion in grants.

Small company credit just a game

The House recessed July 30 after fighting about procedures of the Small business Jobs Act. Bizjournals.com reports that action on the bill was postponed in the Senate because of partisan maneuvering by Republicans over amendments unrelated to boosting small company credit. The $ 30 billion small business lending fund was stopped as the Republicans talked about the “another bank bailout” argument again. Two Republicans even voted with Democrats to give the lending fund a filibuster-proof 60 votes when it was considered as a separate amendment. Still, Republicans were strong in saying they didn’t want the whole bill to pass. Republicans wanted more amendments added to the bill than Democrats did.

The Interest-Free SBA Arc loan program will be expiring in September

Small companies that have managed to survive the credit crisis can nevertheless get a little help, for just a little while longer. Rather than waiting for Congress to get its act together, they can investigate an SBA Arc loan. As outlined by Helium, 100 percent guaranteed, interest-free loans up to $ 35,000 are available to businesses that are already up and running. Businesses dealing with immediate financial hardship that can show one year of profitability in the last two years qualify for SBA Arc Loans. Five years are allowed to pay back the loan. The loan can be received over a six month time frame. Businesses have to get the SBA Arc loan before the end of September when it ends.

More on this topic

CNN Money

money.cnn.com/2010/08/06/smallbusiness/small_business_bill_stalemate/index.htm

Bizjournals

denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/08/02/daily78.html

Helium

helium.com/items/1915352-sab-arc-loan-program

Social Security Administration has cause for insecurity

Doom, despair, and a guarantee of fear and loathing has been forecast for Social Security for a long time. This year is going to be a mark in favor of that viewpoint. The Social Security Administration will pay more than it will obtain. It’s not the very first time, either. The SSA flirted with insolvency within the early 1980s. Social Security retains a trust fund where it holds all funds, and shortfalls are exactly what the fund is there to counteract.

Social Security payments to exceed income

This year, according to the Los Angeles Times, the Social Security Administration will spend more than it will earn. The board of trustees for Social Security and Medicare have reported, as of August 5, the tax income will be less than their due to fork out out by the end of 2010. Medicare, following the passage of the new health care reform bill, is expected to stay above water until 2029. Medicare had previously been estimated to lapse into critical condition by 2017. The projected bankruptcy of Medicare is thought to be put further off with incentives and regulations aimed at streamlining the program.

Social Security is a trust fund baby

There is a trust fund that Social Security has just in case. Anything left over after expenditures gets put in the trust fund. Any shortfalls that occur are covered by the trust fund. The fund itself was created for exactly this purpose. The Social Security Trust Fund, as outlined by the New York Times, is projected to run out by 2037. The Social Security Administration will still be able for making 75 percent of its payments if the numbers are accurate, according to the Social Security commissioner Michael Astrue.

Peter to Pay Paul!

The funding for Social Security is from tax revenue. If less money is being earned by individuals working, less cash is available for the program. More cash has to be paid out as people live longer and longer lives. This particular Social Security shortfall won’t affect people’s benefits, but the next one might.

More on this topic

nytimes.com/2010/08/06/us/politics/06benefits.html

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-0806-social-security-20100805,0,6306255.story

National Mustard Day is a great holiday

Mustard generally comes in one or two flavors for most individuals. August 7 is National Mustard Day and a good time to try new mustards. Try using mustard in a new way, or even make your own mustard.

Mustard facts

There are four major types of mustard seeds that come from the mustard plant. There is white mustard, yellow mustard, brown mustard and black mustard. The seeds are usually crushed, ground or bruised and mixed with a liquid to create a paste. Yellow mustard tends to be yellow mustard seeds that are crushed and mixed with vinegar and tumeric. To make mustard, you just have to buy, in the spice aisle, mustard seeds, then crush them and mix with vinegar and other flavorings. Be warned that mustard made at home is usually spicy.

National Mustard Day and why it is here

National Mustard Day helps individuals learn more about mustard. An antibacterial product can be stored anywhere and it will nevertheless be good, which is what mustard is. It can combine oil and water as an emulsifier. Dry mustard powder is put into unstable sauces like Bearnaise because it helps stop curdling from happening. Annually, $ 300 million are spent on purchasing mustard.

How to celebrate National Mustard Day

Even if you aren’t too adventurous within the kitchen, you can still celebrate National Mustard Day. Mustard is more than just a paste to spread on your sandwich. Adding mustard to your favorite treats makes them quite tasty. Here are some things to try:

Try making honey mustard

Mix equal parts brown, Dijon or deli mustard and honey for a dipping sauce. Stir in a touch of olive or canola oil to make a honey mustard salad dressing.

Grill your food with mustard

Mix cracked mustard seed with kosher salt, pepper and a small amount of sugar. You are able to use this to rub on beef, chicken or anything else you want to grill.

Ford board votes to begin back pay for Bill Ford

While the vehicle bailout helped the “too big to fail” giants from falling into their graves, their economic futures aren’t yet rosy. The Ford Motor Company has fared moderately well, but the five-year pay freeze chairman Bill Ford voted on himself no doubt helped. Bill Ford said in 2005 that he would take no paycheck until Ford Motors turned up the sales success. Now the board at Ford has voted to lift the pay freeze, reports Automotive News. Bill Ford will receive back salary dating to 2008.

Bill Ford will get $ 4.2 million in back pay

The Ford Motor Company board of directors decided it was time for Bill Ford to get his money, thinking about the automaker reportedly made a $ 4.8 billion automotive profit over the past 12 months. Bill Ford will start receiving $ 4.2 million in deferred salary from 2008 onward. Bill Ford will even be able to take advantage of stock choices and restricted stock.

Bill Ford was chief executive at Ford from 2001 to 2006

Bill Ford moved to the board room in 2006, opening the way for Alan Mulally to take over as CEO. Both Ford and Mulally have agreed to 30 percent personal salary cuts for 2009 and 2010 as part of the automaker’s economic recovery. Bill Ford sold personal holdings in business stock for a $ 1 million scholarship fund he created in 2005 for the kids of company employees.

Bill Ford also sold $ 28 million in company stock in his efforts to help Ford Motors. Those sales did not change his family’s overall stake within the company, nevertheless. Presently, Bill Ford maintains 6.5 million shares in common and Class B stock.

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Automotive News

autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100806/OEM02/100809870/1254

Plan a wedding on a spending budget and save big bucks

Preparing a wedding shouldn’t have to cost an arm and two legs. You can, in fact, avoid breaking the bank and needing a last minute cash advance loans by learning a few tips and tricks on methods to plan a wedding on a budget. Whether your limit is $ 500 or $ 5,000, with these wedding preparing tips, you are able to have a beautiful inexpensive wedding with memories that will last a lifetime.

Plan a wedding on spending budget with an evenhanded guest list

To really plan a wedding on a budget, one of the first places you need to look is your guest list. Cutting down the number of guests can greatly reduce the amount of money spent on caterers and food, among other costs. You add more strain to your spending budget each time a name is added to the list. So conserve yourself some trouble and skip inviting those you haven’t spoken to in a long time or ones you just can’t stand to be around. Don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feeling; it is you, your wedding and your spending budget that need the pleasing.

Find ways to conserve money on a wedding dress

One of the primary highlights of planning a wedding is choosing the right wedding dress. For many who are seeking to keep the cost low, nevertheless, it can get quite overwhelming. So before you settle on a wedding dress and apply for a cash advance to pay the main difference, consider your possibilities. You can save large by purchasing around and comparing prices online. You can uncover numerous excellent websites that offer a wide selection of beautiful wedding dresses that won’t cave a hole in your pocket. And for the brides who don’t mind, perhaps renting a dress is right for you.

Off-season wedding plans

The date and location of your wedding can also determine how much cash you will be able to save. The best time to plan a wedding on a budget is during off-season months, which vary depending on your regional climate. If you live in a cold climate, off season savings start during winter and vice versa for areas with warmer climates. Off-season months are good times to have a wedding because you will find many vendors out looking for business and willing to hand out good saving deals for making some money. Moreover, you don’t need a lavish hotel or club house to host a beautiful wedding. Check out local restaurants, parks and even your community college and compare prices.

Save money on food and drinks

Do not hesitate to inform your caterer of your saving plans and ask about the least costly entrees on the menu. Would a seated dinner cost you more cash than a buffet? Can you pass up the primary course and just stick with drinks and appetizers? Can you serve only wine and beer instead of having a full bar? The cost of food can take up a huge portion of your spending budget, so do not be afraid to make any changes to the menu if necessary.

Kristy Lee Cook in sights of PETA over hunting reality show

”American Idol” followers likely remember Kristy Lee Cook, a top-10 finisher from season seven back in 2008 who delivered country flair to her performances. It was possibly that country style that led Cook into her starring role on the new Versus cable reality and hunting program “Goin’ Country”. Now PETA has Kristy Lee Cook in its sights. The often controversial animal rights organization is locked, loaded and waiting for Cook to blink.

Kristy Lee Cook has called PETA’s bluff

In a public statement, Kristy Lee Cook did not mince words when it comes to her “Goin’ Country” roots. PETA had harsh words for the former “Idol” star, whom they’d hoped would toe the line and advertise with them in support of animal right as Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and Simon Cowell have done before. Cook, who supports animal rights, fired back at the bully organization. “Given that hunters have done more for American wildlife conservation than any other group in history, I make no apology for being one,” Cook told Fox. ”Indeed, I join the ranks of millions of American hunters who celebrate our outdoor heritage and who conserve millions of acres of wild lands. These very same individuals support more than 600,000 jobs across the country and provide a critical voice to encourage more investment in American conservation”.

She sings, she hunts

”Goin’ Country” gives viewers a slice of the Cook life. Much of her time is devoted to her animal charity, the “Kristy Lee Horse Heaven Foundation”. One of the recreational activities depicted in the show is family hunting trips. During the program, Cook makes a point of showing that she handles hunting in a responsible fashion, focusing on conservation and healthy roles meat can play in one’s diet. “If I do not take the meat home to my family, then we give it to orphanages or homeless shelters,” she said.

Meat is brain food

Groups like PETA who criticize the practice of controlled hunting are no doubt oblivious to the evolutionary value of meat to humanity. Leslie Aiello, an anthropologist, told NPR lately that the time when humans began to eat meat fostered in major changes.“What we think is that this dietary change around 2.3 million years ago was one of the major significant factors in the evolution of our own species,” she recently told NPR. Aiello and other scientists believe that the development of tools used in hunting fostered greater brain development. Most considerably, the caloric and fat value of meat gave brains the energy needed for growth. In theory, the more energy-efficient transaction gave brains what they needed to grow larger. The subsequent invention of cooking also helped brain development, as it needs social interaction and division of work.

More on this topic

Fox News

foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/08/03/exclusive-peta-takes-aim-kristy-lee-cooks-hunting-shoots/

NPR.org

npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128849908

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristy_Lee_Cook

Existing home sales dip 2.6 percent in June

Bloomberg reports that even though new home sales went up in June, existing home sales decreased while the Association of Realtors shows what really happened with those statistics. Experts were confused that contracts to purchase were so low. Anything thinks that what happened was the tax buyer credit expired making the demand go down. Article source – Existing home sales dip 2.6 percent in June by Personal Money Store.

Economists predicted 4 percent growth in existing home sales

The median forecast by the National Association of Realtors had a much rosier outlook on June 2010. Existing home sales weren’t predicted to fall as far as they did immediately following the April 30 deadline for the government tax credit, when a massive 30 percent drop occurred. Bloomberg reports the 30 percent decrease that happened in May 2010 hasn’t happened like that since 2001 when the median forecast began being kept.

No more $8,000 credit means people have to earn more

The recession continues meaning high unemployment and raises in pay nonexistent. As Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner predicts that unemployment will increase in August, existing home sales probably aren’t going to be trending upward for a while. Standard and Poor’s 500 went down 0.6 percent which doesn’t help stocks.

Existing homes sell the most

90 percent of the housing market are sales of existing homes. Bloomberg talked to Lawrence Yun of the National Association of Realtors who said, “There might be a couple of additional months of slow home sales activity before picking up later in the year, provided the job market improves.”

The specter of home seizure

Numerous homes are being seized. Mortgage rates are doing really well being down to 4.54 percent although there are already 38 percent more foreclosures than there were last year reports RealtyTrac, Inc. The market has gotten worse than ever reports Donald Horton from D.R. Horton Inc., and he believes it won’t end for a long time.

Further reading

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-03/pending-sales-of-existing-u-s-homes-unexpectedly-decreased-2-6-in-june.html

Homeowners who are staying put

youtube.com/watch?v=5c0oemzh-vU

Why Anthony Weiner went ballistic over the 9/11 health care bill

Anthony Weiner made headlines July 29th when the Democratic Congressman from New York abandoned composure in a speech on the house floor. Weiner was angered at Republicans who mustered to defeat the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The 9/11 health care bill is a Democratic plan to present billions of dollars for health care to 9/11 rescue workers and New York residents sickened from the toxic dust and debris at ground zero. Weiner and his Democratic acquaintances accused Republicans of cowardice. Republicans accused Democrats of more large government spending.

9/11 Health and Compensation Act particulars

The 9/11 health care bill had support from a majority of the lawmakers in the chamber. But the New York Times reports the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed, 255-159. To bring the measure to the floor, a special guideline required that a two-thirds majority was needed. Funding of $3.2 billion for the next eight years would are provided by the 9/11 health care bill to provide medical care for injuries and illness linked to toxic dust and particles at ground zero. Another $4.2 billion would be set aside by the bill to compensate for economic losses.

Democrats maneuver for two-thirds majority

Just after it was obvious that Republicans had enough votes to defeat the 9/11 health care bill, Anthony Weiner erupted in a speech on the house floor. The New York Daily News reports how the two-thirds bulk rule was a Democratic ploy to speed up the vote. A simple majority vote, Democrats feared, would allow Republicans to attach amendments intended to embarrass them with elections coming this fall. The two-thirds majority rule won’t allow fiddling with amendments.

Procedure used by Republicans as reason to oppose the bill

When he heard Republicans using the use of the two-thirds majority rule as their reason for voting no on the 9/11 health care bill, Weiner exploded at the lecture . CBS News reports that Republican congressman Peter King of New York accused Democrats, too afraid to vote on controversial amendments, of staging a charade by holding the vote. King’s comments led to Weiner’s 90-second fulmination. He shouted at Republicans, calling them cowards for voting no because they didn’t like the procedure:

“It’s Republicans wrapping their arms around Republicans rather than doing the right thing on behalf of the heroes,” Weiner yelled. “It is a shame. A shame! If you believe this can be a bad idea to provide health care – then vote no! But don’t give me the cowardly view that ‘Oh if it was a different procedure’…”.

Additional reading

nytimes.com /

nydailynews.com

cbsnews.com

Payments market shake up - Smartphone bank card processing

Wireless carriers using contactless payment technology for Smartphone credit card processing could give credit card corporations a worthy competitor. A proprietary mobile payments system being developed by AT and T, Verizon and T-Mobile that lets people spend by waving their Smartphone past a scanner could compete directly with MasterCard and Visa. After fighting with credit card businesses for years over excessive swipe fees, retailers are viewing the new competition within the payments market with satisfaction.

Smartphone charge card processing an emerging trend

A payment service network to supplant credit and debit cards with Smartphone’s will begin with a test technique in Atlanta and 3 other Americas cities. The service, Bloomberg reports, is modeled after payments networks in Japan, Turkey and the U.K. that use contactless technology. One business analyst told Bloomberg the AT and T/Verizon/T-Mobile Smartphone bank card venture was a “game changer” since the wireless carriers are the biggest recurring billers in each and every market and are experts at processing payments. Discover, the fourth largest credit card company after Visa, MasterCard and American Express, is handling processing for the new payment service network.

Contactless payments must clear hurdles

More than 60 percent of Smartphone’s have contactless payment functions in Japan. If they become popular within the Americas Smartphone charge cards will draw increased attention from malicious hackers. And consumers will need the exact same protection for their Smartphone’s that they have against unauthorized purchases with lost or stolen bank cards.

Carriers and card companies compete for billions in mobile payment profits

In their pursuit of mobile payment profits, the wireless carriers aren’t alone. ChannelWeb reports that credit card corporations and numerous tech firms have accelerated mobile payment programs as the Smartphone industry goes ballistic. The carriers think they have an edge with their background in payment processing. But it remains to be seen if processing payments for their customers will translate to servicing merchant accounts directly as a payment service network for the carriers, Joe Bardwell, an executive at a California wireless tech firm, told ChannelWeb. Plus, consumers that already do not care for the wireless carriers’ billing practices may not trust them to manage bank card payments.

Retailers welcome payments market competition

One more payment service network could take off with retailers, especially after they have fought with bank card businesses for years over transaction fees. To emphasize that fact, Bloomberg cites an effort by retailers last month to gain caps on swipe fees from Congress, as well as a 2005 federal anti-trust lawsuit that remains pending . A spokesman for the Retail Industry Leaders Association told Bloomberg that a secure and reliable competing network that gives consumers mobility payment opportunities and reduces retailers’ costs would be welcome.

Discover more details on this subject

Bloomberg

bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-02/at-t-verizon-said-to-target-visa-mastercard-with-smartphones.html

Tech News World

technewsworld.com/story/70546.html”

Channel Web

crn.com/mobile/226500140″>

Legally Hack the iPhone 4G- Jailbreaking

The first jailbreak for the iPhone 4 was unleashed Sunday. Since the Apple App Store has at first been the only place to get applications, now iPhone 4 users can get them elsewhere. Unapproved stores can download apps onto your iPhone 4 with this jailbreak. Other networks besides AT and T could be hacked with this jailbreaking. Apple, which exercises tight control over the iPhone network and iPhone app approval process, says jailbreaking the iPhone 4 “can severely degrade the experience”.

Downloading the iPhone jailbreak

It is now legal to jailbreak the iPhone which is probably why this application was released. The iPhone 4 jailbreak is at jailbreakme.com for many who want it. The iPhone 4 jailbreak hack installs a program that lets iPhone 4 owners purchase unapproved apps from stores other than the Apple App Store. You can visit the website on Safari on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to get the hack. You don’t need to even pull out your computer to install this one.

Apple not thrilled about legal jailbreaking

Jailbreaking is legal for one reason and that is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Information week reports the U.S. Library of Congress (LOC) opened the door to legal download of the iPhone jailbreak last week when it said hacking the iPhone to circumvent Apple’s app approval process doesn’t violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. LOC’s chief librarian wrote that cracking the iPhone is “innocuous at worst and beneficial at best.” Apple doesn’t believe that at all. Despite the fact that it is legal to jailbreak now, Apple explains it does void warranties.

Jailbreaking makes it possible for T-Mobile and iPhones to have a relationship

Jailbreakme.com was having a hard time staying up Sunday with how popular the iPhone 4 jailbreak was. Networks other than AT and T can be used after jailbreaking the iPhone which makes it possible to download the right apps. There were some troubles created making it so the iPhone 4 can’t work on Verizon or Sprint with the jailbreak but will work on T-Mobile.

Further reading

Apple

support.apple.com/kb/ht3743