Twilight Eclipse premiere and the lunar eclipse of 2010 are here together

This Saturday, June 26, was the first lunar eclipse of 2010 happens. Before viewing the first lunar eclipse of 2010, millions of tweens will be in movie theaters taking in the “Eclipse” premiere, the latest installment of “The Twilight Saga,” which promoters have chosen to release on the same date. Saturday’s lunar eclipse will be a partial eclipse and will also visible from much of the Americas, the Pacific and eastern Asia.

Article Resource: Lunar eclipse of 2010 just in time for Twilight Eclipse premiere by Personal Money Store

This 'moon illusion' experience

The first lunar eclipse of 2010 is going to appear magnified in the U.S. by an effect known as the “moon illusion.” The BBC reports that the eclipse is going to appear larger because it occurs while the Moon is so close to the horizon. The partial lunar eclipse didn't reach totality because the moon, sun and Earth weren't aligned exactly. At its maximum, 54 percent of the Moon’s diameter will be covered at 4:38 a.m. Pacific time. The eclipse should last around three hours.

The rising Moon tricks your brain

If they’re able to stay up until dawn after the excitement of the Twilight Eclipse premiere, tweens will think Saturday’s partial lunar eclipse will look unnaturally large because the human mind perceives the size of the low-hanging Moon in reference to trees, buildings and other foreground objects. Once the moon rises into the sky, it looks smaller without the earthbound objects for the brain to try to compare it to. In reality, a low Moon is the exact same distance away from us as any other moon and doesn’t change in size.

While the Dawn in the in the Americas, Twilight is in Asia

During the partial lunar eclipse, NASA reports that the moon illusion will be particularly strong in western and central parts of the U.S. and Canada where the moon will be setting as the eclipse reaches maximum. Look low and to the west just before dawn according to NASA. On the other side of the world, people in India, Japan, and also many parts of East Asia will see the moon illusion on Saturday evening as the Moon is rising.

For Twilight saga there is a bloody moon

During the lunar eclipse Saturday, the moon will appear the color of blood. But tweens having stayed up all night talking about the Twilight “Eclipse” premiere shouldn’t be alarmed. The reddish hue appears because sunlight reflecting off the moon passes through the Earth's atmosphere, where it is scattered. After the light has passed through the atmosphere, the resulting light is dominated by longer wavelengths the human eye perceives as red. This is the same effect that causes sunsets and sunrises to turn the sky a reddish color.

Cranking up moon telescopes

The first lunar eclipse of 2010 was especially interesting viewed through a telescope. Universe Today suggests cranking up the magnification on your moon telescope to watch particular craters as the shadow sweeps over them. It might remind you of a cloud traveling across a landscape. If you have some kind of eyepiece camera on your moon telescope, try taking some video footage and share it on YouTube. Universe Today gives a chart showing which craters to observe and when to focus on them.

More information on this topic

BBC

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10414201.stm

NASA

science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/24jun_lunareclipse/

Universe Today

universetoday.com/2010/06/24/partial-lunar-eclipse-visible-june-26-2010/

Personal finance savvy rising, but high credit card debt persists

Americans seems to be more educated about credit than they were before the recession; however, their knowledge about personal finance isn’t resulting in better decisions about credit and lending. A survey will tell us that most Americans know the interest rates they are paying on their credit card and they know their credit rating. Even so, they continue to carry high interest credit card debt and many don’t know how to improve their credit scores.

Resource for this article: Personal finance savvy rising, but high credit card debt persists by Personal Money Store

This personal finance know-how seems no good

A survey of personal financial knowledge by Harris Interactive on behalf of Lending Club shows that Americans still aren’t making the most of hard-learned instant cash credit lessons learned during the recession. Adults unaware of their credit score came in around 31 percent, compared to the 45 percent who didn’t have a clue in 2007 according to a Bankrate, Inc. survey. Fewer adults (22 percent) who use a credit card don’t know the interest rate on the credit card they use most often (compared to 29 percent who reported not knowing in 2007, according to a National Foundation for Credit Counseling survey).

Credit card debt prevails

Credit card companies are probably glad to know that of those adults who do know the interest rates on their cards, the survey shows 31 percent have an interest rate of 20 percent or more and 64 percent pay 14 percent or more. Although 93 percent of all of the credit card users know it’s possible to negotiate for a better rate, only 29 percent have ever tried to. Although closing a credit card account will negatively impacts credit score, 18 percent erroneously believe it increases your credit score; 27 percent believed it has no impact. For those with any kind of debt other than a home mortgage, credit card debt is the most common type of debt overall (67 percent) and often the most expensive type of debt to carry.

Personal finance gets advice given

To gain a lot of knowledge about personal finance, AOL Money Coach Jennifer Openshaw has advice for consumers who want to be smarter when it comes to credit. If you aren’t aware of your card rates, find out. Find out about all of the lower rates. Somewhere around 68 percent of those who ask for a lower rate are successful and build confidence in their financial savvy as well. Start with a target rate in mind, be assertive and ask for the supervisor if necessary.

Know what affects your credit score

Openshaw also suggests learning about what affects your credit score. Know that closing any of your older accounts reduces your balance-to-credit card limit ratio, which may actually lower your score. If you have trouble controlling your credit card spending, it could be better for you to take the temporary hit to your score so you have fewer sources of temptation. Finally, cut your costs on all of your current debt, consider paying off all your debts with one lower interest rate bank loan, but don’t do it with a credit card.

Additional information at these websites

Bankrate Inc.

bankrate.com/

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

nfcc.org/

Jennifer Openshaw

coaches.aol.com/money/jennifer-openshaw

Drilling moratorium overturned by judge with oil business holdings

A federal judge overturned the six-month deep water drilling moratorium within the Gulf of Mexico. The ruling that was issued on Tuesday cited economic hardship as a result of the ban and said the government overreached by suspending all deep-water drilling operations either in progress or planned in the gulf. Oil companies decided to hail the ruling. The Department of Justice said they wanted to appeal the decision immediately. During that very same time, as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 gushed for the 63rd day, about 106 million gallons of crude and counting have spilled into the sea.

Resource for this article: Drilling moratorium overturned by judge with oil business holdings

Possibility of drilling moratorium judge being invested in oil

The drilling moratorium was overturned by Judge Martin L.C. Feldman after several oil rig service companies filed a complaint. According to ABC News, recent disclosure documents indicate that Feldman, who was appointed to the bench by Ronald Reagan, has had financial holdings in oil companies. Feldman said the Interior Department acted as if it were “arbitrarily and capriciously” when it issued a six-month moratorium on drilling new deep-water wells within the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean. Feldman given a preliminary injunction to Hornbeck Offshore Services to lift the drilling moratorium, saying that he believed the government “failed to cogently reflect the decision to issue a blanket, generic, indeed punitive, moratorium.”

Uncertain about a lot more deep-water drilling

The moratorium was imposed to give a presidential panel time to come up with recommendations on how to keep away from a repeat of the BP oil spill disaster. The Los Angeles Times reports that it remains uncertain whether the Interior Department would have to start issuing new permits to drill. With an appeal virtually certain to come from the Obama administration, some analysts doubt that oil companies would want to start a major deep-water drilling operation in the Gulf of Mexico with the possibility it may have to shut down if the appeal succeeds.

Oil companies spin drilling moratorium

The American Petroleum Institute praised today’s ruling, saying in a written statement, “The moratorium was an first response to concerns about the safety of offshore oil and natural gas operations. However, an extended moratorium would have a tremendous impact on the nation’s energy security – and cause significant harm to the region of the country that was already suffering from the spill – without raising safety or improving industry procedures.”

BP oil spill has a containment failure

Meanwhile, it is reported by CNN that government estimates indicate as much as 60,000 barrels (2.5 million gallons) of oil may be flowing into the Gulf every single day, and also the gusher has already taken a severe toll on tourism and the fishing industry in Gulf Coast states. BP said it had succeeded in collecting less than half of the estimated daily output: 25,830 barrels (1.08 million gallons) of oil over the past 24 hours on Tuesday. The amount is one of the most ever collected; the previous record was set June 18 when 25,290 barrels were collected. BP said it plans to donate all the revenues it receives from the sale of oil recovered from the spill to help the National Fish and Wildlife Federation deal with the oil it won’t be collecting from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010.

Additional data at these websites
ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Politics/gulf-oil-spill-disaster-judge-overrules-white-house/story?id=10983980&page=2

Los Angeles times

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-oil-spill-moratorium-20100623,,7804590.story

CNN

cnn.com/2010/US/06/22/gulf.oil.disaster/index.html?npt=NP1

Fight to weaken new mortgage rules in financial reform by lobbyists

Tuesday the US House and Senate plan to start refining mortgage legislation. The legislation would enforce the greatest overhaul to mortgage lending rules in decades. The mortgage legislation, part of the financial reform bill, is supposed to end the risky lending practices blamed for creating the financial crisis. Mortgage industry lobbyists are working really hard to take the teeth out of provisions that would protect consumers and limit the industry’s ability to discover loopholes in underwriting standards.

Resource for this article: Lobbyists fight to weaken new mortgage rules in financial reform by Personal Money Store

Preventing an additional financial crisis with mortgage rules

Suggested changes to mortgage lending rules consist of new rules for loan repayment, the ability to sue your lender for fraud or poorly underwritten mortgages, revised appraisal rules and rules about how much risk lenders must share on the loans they sell to investors. Housing Watch reports that most of these rules will affect how expensive mortgages will end up being and what types of mortgages will be offered by lenders. One of the key new rules mortgage industry lobbyists really would like to undermine requires lenders to hold a 5 percent stake in loans that are bundled and sold with other loans. Those bundles are the mortgage-backed securities that caused the financial disaster.

Are the mortgage lenders going to behave?

With mortgage legislation that needs lenders to hold a stake, the idea is that they’ll act more professionally with their underwriting. When lenders sold their risk along with their loans, they were careless and then handed out many loans which were destined for default. It was reported by the Wall Street Journal that mortgage industry lobbyists want to exempt mortgages from the 5 percent risk-retention requirement if the loans fully document a borrower’s income and assets and don’t contain interest-only payments, negative amortization or balloon payments. Exempt loans would also have to cap certain mortgage-origination fees at around 3 percent of the loan.

More expensive mortgages with new rules?

Banks say new mortgage lending rules about risk retention will make mortgages more costly for consumers because banks will be required to hold a lot more capital, a challenge for smaller lenders. But Housing Watch explained that consumer groups support “encouraging the market” to sell safer products. New mortgage lending rules will make sure there is a lot more paperwork for borrowers, but they already push a lot of paper trying to get loans in today’s constricted credit markets. More diligence from banks about verifying a borrower’s income to prevent default should be good for everybody.

Protecting borrowers from predators

New mortgage lending rules will contain compensation guidelines that prevent lenders from making a lot more money by making riskier loans. This provision of the financial reform bill would make certain you will find lender-paid commissions based on the rate or type of loan. The Wall Street Journal reports that brokers say the rule would make it harder for them to compete with banks, reduce competition and raise costs for consumers. Consumer advocates say that the changes will likely make it easier for borrowers to shop for loans and compare prices. Barry Zigas, who is director of housing policy for the Consumer Federation of The United States told the Journal that the new provisions will shift the burden of proof “from the consumers having to protect themselves from unreasonable fees to the providers of services justifying their costs.”

Mortgage lenders being saved from themselves

Other new mortgage rules that are being fought contain limiting the fees mortgage lenders charge if a borrower refinances the loan or pays it off early. They also don’t like the rule that requires them to prove that it is in the borrower’s best interest to finance a loan, instead of just pushing a new loan to benefit from additional fees or commissions. Finally, mortgage lenders really just don't want borrowers to be able to sue them if they violate the new mortgage rules. Industry lobbyists say this would make getting mortgages too risky for investors.

Find more info on this topic

Housing Watch

housingwatch.com/2010/06/21/new-mortgage-rules-may-hurt-borrowers/

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704050804575318753964100106.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Obama wants $ 600 million to boost border security

Arizona’s controversial new immigration law, SB 1070, has ramped up the call for immigration reform and needed reinforcement to border security. As outlined by the Los Angeles Times, President Obama was so inspired by the legislation – or underwhelmed, depending upon the source – that he is now demanding that Congress punch through a $ 600 million emergency fund to ramp up Border Patrol numbers by at least 1,000, put two Predator drones on duty and improve overall border security. An unnamed senior White House official told the Times that Obama’s border security budget plan would contain 160 additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, plus dog units.

{|Resource for this article: Obama calls for $ 600 million border security fund by Personal Money Store

Border security is vital to national defense, said Obama

President Obama outlined his $ 600 million border security fund in no uncertain terms to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco in a letter. His letter highlights the “urgent and essential need” of America’s borderlands, embroiled as they are in a near-constant state of emergency. Violence alongside America’s border with Mexico is becoming increasingly typical. Mexico’s drug war – which they’re quickly losing to the cartels – no doubt influenced the president’s $ 600 million move. It may be high time, as the drug cartels are already openly threatening U.S. authorities, says the New York Daily News. Much of the proposed $ 600 million emergency fund would help give overrun Mexican authorities with ballistics and DNA analysis, with the expectation that the drug war does not spill over to the U.S..

Border security should be an active endeavor

In the words of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, her state is “the gateway to America for drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping and crime”. Gov. Brewer is fed up with the federal government’s lack of action on border security. Predator drones, better fences and additional manpower are essential to keeping Arizona and other border states safe, argues Brewer. SB 1070 as Arizona immigration law will produce a optimistic effect on border security , instead of beget a racist wasteland. Even a Mexican lawsuit against SB 1070 (as CNN reports) won’t stop the move toward tighter border security in America. People who live in the borderlands have had enough of the government’s inaction; maybe Obama’s emergency fund is a step in the right direction.

Find more information on this topic

Los Angeles Times

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-border-patrol-20100623,,4691128.story

New York Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/06/22/2010-06-22_mexican_drug_cartel_threatens_to_harm_us_police_officers_who_bust_drug_shipments.html

CNN

ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/23/mexico-files-court-brief-against-arizona-immigration-law/

$ 55,000 in personel loans forgotten by Gregory Meeks

One would think that getting a personel loans isn't typically an easy thing to forget. New York congressman Gregory Meeks from Queens, nevertheless, apparently just “forgot” a lot more than $ 55,000 in personal loan. A member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the last 11 years, Gregory Meeks is on the House Financial Committee.

Source for this article: Gregory Meeks forgets to disclose $ 55,000 in personal loans

What Gregory Meeks considers an "oversight"

Last Sunday, the New York Daily News broke the story that Gregory Meeks had two cash personal loans that he "forgot" to list on financial disclosures. In a statement to the Daily News, Meeks admitted that these loans existed, but did not reveal any other data about them. These loans were one $ 40,000 loan in 2007 and one $ 15,000 loan in 2008. These loans were both listed as "personal secured loans.” At the moment, Meeks also lists a loan "around $ 50,000 to $ 100,000" from a Queens investor.

Needs of financial disclosure

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have to make extensive financial disclosures. Due halfway through May each year, these disclosure statements consist of incomes, assets, and liabilities. Gregory Meeks’ 2009 disclosure was filed about a month late, which prompted inquiries. Meeks claims that a very complete overview was the reason it was late. Technically, these disclosures are intended to be public, though the House Clerk and Secretary of State, with whom they must be filed, do not post these disclosures online.

Will Gregory Meeks be charged?

This $ 55,000 oversight could very easily lead to official disciplinary action for Gregory Meeks. First, he might be charged with a violation of the ethics code under House Rule XXVI. The constituents of Gregory Meeks' district could take legal action against him as well. These "small" cash loans probably won't lead to any charges unless you will find additional problems or improprieties with the administration of these loans. The real question will be during the next election cycle where Gregory Meeks may face questions from his constituency.

Monitoring driving routines - May be the tiwi really worth it?

The tiwi seems like the perfect answer for teen motorists. The little on-board computer monitors predefined “dangerous” behaviors and notifies each the driver and also the parents of this activity. The tiwi was originally developed for fleet drivers but is becoming marketed to mother and father of teens. Is it worth the price and effort?

Resource for this article: Monitoring driving routines – Is the tiwi worth it

Tiwi and how it functions

The tiwi unit is really a little computer that connects to the diagnostic port on most cars. The pc analyzes seatbelt use, zealous acceleration and other “dangerous” driving behaviors. That data is combined with GPS coordinates on the unit to create a complete picture of the driver’s actions. After particular pre-set activities, the unit vocally reminds the driver from the mistake, and sends a notification to some pre-set phone, e-mail or sms system.

All benefits of tiwi

The tiwi device can be incredibly useful. For teen motorists, who usually have 50 hours or less of driving experience, it can help decrease accidents. Tracking the activities of the automobile is extremely helpful as well. In fleet-driving circumstances, managers and bosses are likely to be capable to keep an eye on the activity and conduct of their employees. In short, the tiwi assists one individual keep track of one more — and offers reinforcement of good driving behavior.

The drawbacks of tiwi

The tiwi system is, just like other tracking systems, intended for really useful purposes. It raises questions of protection of privacy and safety, nevertheless. Because tiwi connects directly to cell-phone networks and the computer’s diagnostic port, there is a possible for vulnerability to hacking. There can also be a “big brother” aspect of each and every movement of the vehicle becoming tracked. For staff which are driving business vehicles, this may not be as big of an issue – but for a 17- or 18-year-old driver, it might be slightly more sticky. Within the end, the tiwi could be really helpful, but it is worth carefully considering whether the $ 200 original price and $ 40 per month subscription charge is really worth it for your family.

Disgraced by Rolling Stone, Gen. David Petraeus replaces commander

Gen. David Petraeus was named to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal as being the new U.S. commander within the Afghanistan war. After a profile of McChrystal in Rolling Stone portrayed him as contemptuous of President Obama and of the key members of his national security team, McChrystal offered his resignation and Obama accepted it. Opinion has been nearly universal up to now that to preserve America’s civilian control over the military, McChrystal had to go and that Petraeus is the best choice to take over in Afghanistan.

Article Source: Gen. David Petraeus replaces commander disgraced by Rolling Stone

Petraeus and his political savvy

Gen. David Petraeus, who is the head of the U.S. Central Command, took what looked like certain failure in Iraq and brought the U.S. war there toward an acceptable outcome. David Ignatius of the Washington Post said that if the Taliban sold stock, its price would have fallen dramatically after Wednesday’s announcement that Petraeus would assume control in Afghanistan. Ignatius also said that Petraeus is probably the most deft political figure that he has ever seen in uniform who always remembered that he worked for civilian leadership.

Petraeus a ‘win-win’ for Obama

Appointing Gen. Petraeus after McChrystal’s challenge to his leadership is a win-win for Obama, according to the Christian Science Monitor. Obama gets to have a top commander back in the field, and he also reasserts his role as civilian commander in chief. After insulting comments which were made by Gen. McChrystal and his staff to a reporter from Rolling Stone, Obama easily summoned the general from Afghanistan to Washington and he won’t be going back.

Gen. McChrystal's apology didn't help

Gen. McChrystal apologized for the Rolling Stone article on Tuesday but didn’t say that he was at all misrepresented by it. CNN reports that a source close to McChrystal said that throughout the 30-minute meeting between Obama and McChrystal on Tuesday, McChrystal briefly explained the Rolling Stone article that derailed his career, took responsibility and then offered his resignation. The president “had no intention of keeping him,” the source reports. McChrystal’s personal belongings could be shipped from Afghanistan to his home.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss

Gen. Petraeus represents a change in style according to Michael Hastings, the freelance writer of the Rolling Stone article at the center of the controversy. On rollingstone.com June 23, Hastings explained to readers that when Obama changed McChrystal with Petraeus the president said it was a change in personnel, not policy, and policy has been the problem all along. Hastings said that Obama picked Petraeus because he is a master at telling Americans what they want to hear. It can be Petraeus’ job to spin Afghanistan from a defeat into a face-saving draw.

Find more data on this topic

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/23/AR2010062304005.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Christian Science Monitor

csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0623/In-replacing-McChrystal-with-Gen.-David-Petraeus-Obama-reasserts-authority

CNN

edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/06/23/general.mcchrystal.obama.apology/?hpt=T1&imw=Y&fbid=w2XX2duDWrt

Abbreviations and emissions like LEV, SULEV, PZEV, and more

In the world of option fuel and low-emissions autos, there is a patchwork of regulations across the country. While national regulations on automobile emissions do exist, some states have a lot more strict standards. This patchwork has created a veritable storm of abbreviations about automobile emissions. This is what the popular abbreviations mean.

Article Resource: Abbreviations and emissions – LEV, SULEV, PZEV and a lot more By Car Deal Expert

Low emission vehicle – LEV and NLEV

The LEV or NLEV standard was first instituted by California as the “Low Emission Vehicle” standard, and later adopted as the “National Low Emission Vehicle” standard. These standards, for passenger cars, mean emitting less than 3.4 grams per mile of carbon monoxide. This is applied through the 2003 model.

Ultra Low Emission – ULEV

Ultra Low Emission Vehicle standards, in many states, applies to autos that come from the model years 2003 to 2010. These ULEV passenger cars are can emit no more than 1.7 grams per pile of carbon monoxide. Alternately, ULEV cars are required to emit no more than half of the emissions of comparable model-year vehicles.

Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle – SULEV

Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicles, otherwise known as SULEV cars, are required to emit no more than 10 percent of the average emissions of comparable model-year vehicles. SULEV automobiles are, most often, ultra-efficient hybrids or alternative-fuel autos.

PZEV is a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle

SULEV and PZEV standards are all the same. However, in order to qualify as a PZEV, a vehicle has to have extra controls on gas evaporation and must maintain low emission levels for 150,000 miles. In 2001, there were numerous engines that qualify as PZEV.

Zero Emissions Automobile – ZEV

Used to refer to hydrogen-fueled or electric cars typically, Zero Emissions Automobiles aren’t always necessarily totally “zero emissions." For example, a car that charges off of the power grid can still be considered ZEV – although the grid does nevertheless puts out many pollution.

Fuel Economy Standards

Though some states use alphabet soup to describe the efficiency of vehicles, the federal government and EPA have opted to go with a different system. By 2016, vehicle makers can be required to build cars that have an average fuel economy rating of 35.5 miles per gallon.

TARP mortgage lender Lee Farkas charged with fraud

To help lenders and banks in trouble, the federal government created the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Taxpayers are on the hook for much less cost that TARP was initially estimated. The SEC is taking some lenders to task for a $ 1.9 billion fraudulent bill. Lee Farkas, chairman of a mortgage lender, has been charged in federal court for defrauding the TARP program.

Resource for this article: Lee Farkas, mortgage lender, charged with TARP fraud By Personal Money Store

Taylor, Bean, and Whitaker Mortgage lenders

All investments sold by Taylor, Bean and Whitaker were overseen by Lee Farkas, who was the chairman and majority owner. Through the administration of TARP funds, TBW sold more than $ 1.5 billion in “fabricated or impaired loans” to Colonial Bank. Along with other things, Colonial Bank used these investments to get TARP money from the government. At one point, Taylor, Bean and Whitaker was the largest mortgage lender that wasn't a bank – but in August of 2009, it filed for bankruptcy.

The alleged crimes of Lee Farkas

When he was the head of the mortgage lender, Lee Farkas presumably defrauded the SEC of more than $ 1 billion. The Securities and Exchange commission alleges that Farkas sold $ 1 billion in “damaged” mortgage loans and $ 500 million in phony loans. Lee Farkas also allegedly headed up a “bogus equity investment” that helped Colonial Bank qualify for TARP funds. These actions, along with other alleged offenses, resulted in losses of a lot more than $ 1.9 billion of TARP funds.

Ramping up Fed oversight

The amount of oversight that the Fed has is being ramped up under the watch of Ben Bernanke. The Fed and Bernanke have come out in support of the financial reform bill in Congress. The oversight that both the Fed and also the SEC may have over the financial industry is also being ramped up – including increased prosecutions of those that have defrauded the funds.

Your home improvement project needs financing

According to Fox Business, Americans are likely to spend more than $ 121 billion on home improvement in 2010, so knowing how to finance home improvement is very important. Here are seven of the financing possibilities.

Article Source: How to finance your home improvement projects By Personal Money Store

How to finance home improvement – Seven possibilities

Breaking a larger concept down into smaller parts makes it much less daunting; that is done also with how to finance home improvement. These are seven steps to solving this riddle.

1. Use cash

According to Fox Business, about 65 percent of homeowners who invest in home improvement pay cash for the job. It’s simple and you will find not interest fees with which to contend. Be careful because paying too much at one time could make it hard to pay other bills. Considering that as much as 85 percent of today’s homeowners finance home improvement with cash, even more people are budgeting carefully.

2. You can use credit cards

A senior researcher at the Center for Responsible learning, Josh Frank, reminds that revolving interest can keep you in debt for some time. Even the lowest credit card rates are twice the rate of a standard home loan. If you miss a couple of payments, it might even skyrocket to 30 percent or a lot more. If you must use a credit card, don’t use the card’s cash til payday loan feature, considering the interest rate for cash until payday via credit card is way higher than the standard credit card APR.

3. Use personal loan

Whether you go to a payday loan lenders or a credit union, unsecured personal loan might be accessible, depending upon your relationship with the institution and your credit score. In the case of a payday loan lenders, however, having good credit is not required for personal loans . Steven Rick of the Credit Union National Association explains that such personal cash loan (aka signature loans) can be either higher or lower in rate than credit cards. It might just pay to shop around.

4. Using any home equity loans

Standards for home equity loans have increased with the housing bubble burst. With an superb credit score, you may be able to get up to 90 percent of your current home’s value in a fixed-rate 10-to-15-year loan. For Business explains that rates will be higher by a point or two than the average home mortgage. Fixed-rate loans make long-term budgeting much easier when you’re trying desperately to choose how to finance home improvement projects. Be wary of variable rate loans, as they typically will not go lower and generally will only increase.

5. Use a HELOC

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) sets up an account where the money is there for home improvement if you need it for any reason at all, instead of coming to you in a lump sum as with a standard home equity loan. Try to find a fixed rate.

6. Use an FHA remodeling loan

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has a small remodeling loan program – 3,854 loans in 2009, according to Fox Business – but if you can get in, you can borrow up to $ 25,000 for up to 20 years at a very reasonable rate. The home itself secures loans more than $ 7,500.

7. Use contractor financing

Terms will vary wildly here, but if you are able to get some kind of fixed rate, no points loan with no other hidden fees, a contractor loan can cost anywhere from 5 to 11 percent. It will only depend on your credit score and trust of the contractor. Do some research.

Additional info at these websites

Fox Business
foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2010/06/07/compare-home-improvement-financing-choices/

Seattle cop punches woman after jaywalking stop

Seattle police have had a difficult time in the media the past 12 months, and also the latest “cop punches woman” incident doesn’t appear to be helping matters. Back in November 2009, Deputy Paul Schene was videotaped beating then 15-year-old Malika Calhoun. This promoted a civil rights investigation. Now Seattle Police Officer Ian P. Walsh, 39, has become the subject of a “cop punches woman” popular video. What started as a routine jaywalking stop that happened right outside Seattle’s Franklin High School quickly escalated into a situation that required that Walsh restrain 17-year-old Angel Rosenthal. Officer Walsh reacted to significant resistance. Yet as numerous media sources have indicated just lately, the justification of Walsh’s response – a punch to Rosenthal’s face – has come into question.

Article Resource: Seattle cop punches woman after jaywalking stop By Personal Money Store

Seattle Police gets the black eye as cop punches woman

The jaywalking cease that preceded the “cop punches woman” event didn’t involve Angel Rosenthal. Officer Ian Walsh had stopped an unnamed 18-year-old male for jaywalking across Martin Luther King Jr. Way South. Rosenthal and her friend, 19-year-old Marilyn Ellen Levias – also as two other young women which were with them – reportedly committed their own act of jaywalking right in from of Officer Walsh while he was addressing the young male. Walsh then clearly instructed the females to step over to his car, and at that time, according to police officials, the girls became “verbally antagonistic.”

Walsh approached to physically escort Levias to the scene as she started to walk away. When she started screaming, Walsh tried to retrain her with handcuffs. At this point, Angel Rosenthal interceded, “causing the officer to believe she was attempting to physically affect the first subject’s escape,” according to the New York Daily News. Video footage that came from the scene shows that as Officer Walsh attempted to restrain Rosenthal, she screamed and pushed as tempers flared. "Cop punches woman" started an immediate headline. Both Levias and Rosenthal were taken into custody. They probably will need to get some money for lawyers and bail.

Teens ordered not to struggle

Officer Ian Walsh’s instructions not to struggle did not defuse the emotional responses of Levias and Rosenthal, who reportedly both have criminal records. Deputy Chief Nick Metz told Seattle’s King 5 News that when you will find “concerns about the tactics the officer used,” the full context leading up to the “cop punches woman” event must be taken into account in any investigation of Walsh’s adherence to police procedure. Presently, Seattle Police are withholding judgment on Ian Walsh’s actions until a full investigation can be completed by the Office of Professional Accountability, as outlined by the Sky Valley Chronicle. Sadly, as the ACLU Washington State branch website suggests, this supposedly independent investigatory committee “lacks teeth” and has been largely a waste of costly man hours for largely perfunctory investigations, as outlined by the ACLU’s estimation.

Ian Walsh ‘did nothing wrong,’ says union president Rich O’Neill

The guy who’s the Seattle Police union president, Rich O’Neill, told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that not only did Officer Ian Walsh not commit wrongdoing, but “he maybe waited just a little too long to engage in force” in his attempts to defuse what video footage proves to be a growing dilemma. A lot more news can be available after the investigation is complete.

Additional data at these websites

New York Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/06/16/2010-06-16_seattle_cop_punches_woman_in_face_over_routine_jaywalking_stop.html

Sky Valley Chronicle

skyvalleychronicle.com/FEATURE-NEWS/SEATTLE-POLICE-TO-REVIEW-TRAINING-PROCEDURES-IN-LIGHT-OF-RECENT-PUNCH-VIDEO

ACLU Washington

new.aclu-wa.org/news/seattle-report-independent-office-police-accountability

Personal payday installment loans online for easier debt consolidation

Cash for anything you need is available through a personal installment loan. You can now apply for personal cash loan online, where you will find an infinite amount of choices and terms. Personal cash loan could be utilized for any financial purpose. Personal short term loan can be a practical solution for debt consolidation and debt relief, especially if the loan has a lower monthly payment than credit card debts. With secured personal cash loan the lender will require you to provide some kind of collateral.

Article Resource: Practical debt consolidation – personal installment loans for bad credit online By Personal Money Store

Poor credit loans are available for people

Individuals with bad credit, limited credit, or no credit history – virtually everyone can get a personal loans online. In all these cases, you are able to qualify for a personnel loans. You’ll start out with higher interest rates and shorter terms, but once you make all your payments on time, pay off the loan and boost your credit rating, the next loan can be easier to get with lower interest and longer terms.

Need money now

A borrower can use a personel loans online for anything, in contrast to autoloans or mortgage loans. Any financial need you may have: vacations, car repairs, school expenditures, unexpected medical bills, emergency home repairs can be addressed by setting up a personal loan online. Each lender sets the maximum amount you can get with an unsecured personel loans online. The best part about getting an unsecured personal loan online is that the entire approved amount appears inside your banking account not in months, weeks or days, but right away.

debt relief through loan consolidation

Debt consolidation and debt relief are some of probably the most practical reasons to get a personnel loans online. Many people use these loans to consolidate other debts into a single monthly payment. The objective debt consolidation is to reduce monthly expenditures. That's why you make sure the monthly payment is less than all the payments you're making now before you take out an online personal loan.

Online loans for credit repair

Utilizing an online personal loan for debt consolidation that leads to credit repair can really pay off.A set monthly payment will free you from the endless minimum payment trap of credit card debt. But do not borrow any more than you need and keep the term as short as possible. Longer loan terms make for more costly loans. And discipline yourself against getting more debt. Condition yourself to stay within a spending budget and debt consolidation with an online loan will work for you.

More information on this topic

articles.moneycentral.msn.com

www.ehow.com

www.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money

Jimmy Johns offers one dollar customer appreciation subs

In and about Chicago, sandwich shop Jimmy John's is offering subs for $ 1. Jimmy John’s is popular for their home-baked bread and super fast delivery. Low-cost "customer appreciation" sandwiches are being offered to celebrate the expansion and success of the franchise.

Article Source: Jimmy Johns offers one dollar customer appreciation subs

Get a Jimmy Johns sub for $ 1

Officially, in any Illinois Jimmy John's around Chicago, it is "customer appreciation day.” Any one of the first six sub sandwiches on the Jimmy Johns menu are offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central Time for $ 1, so the stores are certain to be plenty busy. These first six sandwiches are, for one of the most part, the first six sandwiches that Jimmy John's founder, Jimmy John, created in his mom's kitchen.

How Jimmy John's expanded

Jimmy John initially set out to start a hot dog stand. As an alternative to going to the Army, Jimmy John was given the option of starting a business with $ 25,000. Jimmy John initially planned on beginning a hot dog store, but found startup costs to be too costly. As an alternative, he decided to start a sandwich shop with home-baked bread and local meats . When the first Jimmy John's opened in 1983, he delivered his four sandwich possibilities to dorms as well as from his store. In just two years, Jimmy John bought out his dad's 49 percent and opened a second store. At that point, Francorp helped Jimmy John’s create a franchise system. In the United States now, you will find 1,200 Jimmy John's stores.

Ownership of Jimmy John's locations

Jimmy John's locations are mostly owned by franchisees. Franchised restaurants are owned partially by the “franchisee” who makes payments to the original company for their trademark, business data, and management support. This means that Jimmy John himself doesn’t own all of the stores across the country, but instead owns the company, which licenses the sandwiches, delivery, and business name to other business owners.

Angiotensin receptor blockers - Cancer risk worth the benefit?

An angiotensin receptor blocker drug is one that helps keep blood vessels from constricting – and is generally used to treat high blood pressure. A meta-study published in the Lancet Oncology journal today revealed that angiotensin receptor blockers may increase the risk of cancer. According to this study, angiotensin receptor blockers increase the probability of cancer by about one percent. Put very simply, if you take angiotensin receptor blockers, you are one percent more likely to get cancer, but you aren’t more likely to die from it.

Article Source: Angiotensin receptor blockers – Cancer risk worth the benefit By Personal Money Store

The Lancet Oncology angiotensin receptor blocker study

The data from over 60,000 patients taking angiotensin receptor blockers was re-reviewed by the researchers. This meta-analysis relied on the data of eight trials of angiotensin receptor blocker drugs. All eight trials were published before November 2009. Solid organ cancers are about one percent more likely to happen in patients taking angiotensin receptor blockers. In the context of this study, “significant” means statistically significant – only about one percent. Patients taking these drugs, despite the increased risk of cancer, aren’t a lot more likely to die for the cancer.

The conditions angiotensin receptor blockers treat

Angiotensin receptor blockers, or ARB drugs, are used to treat a wide variety of heart conditions. The angiotensin receptor blocker drug helps relax the muscles around blood vessels, keeping them from contracting. Increasingly, angiotensin receptor blockers are being used in a preventative fashion to help prevent kidney failure and heart attacks. Angiotensin receptor blockers have accounted for over $ 15 billion in sales in just 2009. In the commentary in the Lancet journal, Dr. Steven Nissen wrote:

“These drugs are often overprescribed, as a result of aggressive marketing and in theabsence of evidence that they are better than angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors,” another class of drugs.

Taking an angiotensin receptor blocker? Here's what to do

If you take angiotensin receptor blockers, you should discuss with your doctor exactly the reasons and uses of any drug that you are on. There is a very mild increased risk of cancer with angiotensin receptor blockers. At the exact same time, stopping the drug could put you at a much higher than one percent risk from the conditions it treats.

Read more on this topic here

CBSNews.com

TheLancet.com

E-mail leak by iPad reveals 114,000 email addresses

An iPad e-mail leak has revealed every single one of a lot more than 114,000 early-adopter iPad e-mail addresses. To activate their iPads, users needed to give up their email address. This iPad e-mail leak has compromised not only the e-mail addresses of people like your tech-savvy neighbor down the street but White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. This information leak exposes hundreds of thousands of AT and T customers to security worries, and it raises questions about the distinctive contract between Apple and AT and T.

Article Resource: iPad e-mail leak reveals 114,000 e-mail addresses By Personal Money Store

iPad e-mail leak affects all iPad 3G users

The iPad e-mail leak has, as far as most resources can tell, affected all owners of the iPad 3G. AT and T demands an e-mail address to activate the wireless data capabilities of the $800 device. Having been on the market for only two months, the iPad 3G has been purchased and activated by a lot more than 114,000 users. Each one of these e-mail addresses is associated with an ICC-ID, which stands for an integrated circuit card identifier — essentially, proof of identity of the device. With the ICC-ID and e-mail address, hackers could effortlessly launch a mass attack to gain access to the details that is actually contained on the iPad.

iPad email leak affecting large names

The iPad e-mail leak affects many people, but there are some concerns about some of the biggest names. The list of leaked iPad 3G e-mail addresses contain William Eldridge, who’s a commander of a strategic bomber group within the air force. Hundreds of U.S. Department of Justice, NASA, FCC and Army addresses are incorporated on the list. Federal court system employees, House and Senate staffers, FAA, Citigroup, Microsoft and Dow Jones corporate e-mail addresses were also found. It is certain that some of these companies and agencies have used developers to create a whole bunch of extra layers of security; but unlike Android devices, the notoriously closed-loop Apple systems can be difficult to upgrade the security on.

The iPad mail leak exposed>

The iPad e-mail leak is depending on some kind of weak spot within the AT and T network that was released by Goatse Security. This security group has revealed security holes in Amazon, Firefox, and Safari within the past. Goatse explained that they used only data and scripts which were publicly available to discover the security hole the iPad e-mail leak exploited. Goatse notified AT and T who closed the hole before going public with it. AT and T has not yet notified any of the owners of the iPad 3G whose e-mail addresses may have been compromised, two days after they were informed of the security hole.

Any queries about an AT and T and Apple Contract

This is just one of the most recent problem Apple users have had with AT and T. The carrier, a lot more than anything, has become known for slow networks and dropped calls on the iPhone and iPad. The difficulties with AT and T's network have gotten so bad that even Steve Jobs could not get the new iPhone to work during his WWDC presentation. Apple said their exclusive AT and T contract is going to last a few more years. Given security breaches like this, slow networks and a lack of customer conversation, one has to wonder if that contract can be honored.

The basics of re-refined oil

We all know that we are designed to change the oil in our cars regularly, but other than natural or synthetic, most individuals don’t generally think about what oil goes in or comes out. Re-refined or re-processed oil is engine lubricant that is what it sounds like — used oil that has been re-refined for reuse. Is re-refined oil safe for your car?

Source for this article: The basics of re-refined oil By Car Deal Expert

The re-refining oil process

Petroleum doesn't wear out. Instead, it gets dirty. The additives within the oil wear out. Used motor oil is re-refined the same way as crude oil. The oil is cleaned, refined and re-blended with additives to create a product that is comparable to lubricants created with crude oil.

Your re-manufactured oil needs to be approved

You should take precautions before using it although it is safe. You’ll need to make certain that the re-refined oil you or your mechanic are using is American Petroleum Institute approved. Usually API approved oil can be required. API approved oil has also undergone stringent testing requirements that make certain it does what it is designed to. Whether re-refined or not, you will need oil that is API approved. If you use a quick-lube service, check with them that they are using API approved oil, re-refined or not.

Benefits of re-refined oils

Your engine could be lubricated by re-refined motor oil. Used motor oil is considered a toxic waste, and is generally disposed of in a variety of not-so-environmentally-friendly ways. Re-refining oil helps create a closed-loop system, where the nonrenewable resource of oil is continuously re-used. A gallon of used motor oil creates 2.5 quarts of re-refined oil. The byproducts are used to power re-refining plants and also to create asphalt roof shingles. If all motor oil in the United States was re-refined, there would be enough recycled oil to maintain somewhere around 8 million vehicles per year.

The Armando Galarraga Corvette gift from GM ends up burning taxpayers

General Motors gave Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a Corvette straight after his near-perfect game. The 2010 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is worth $ 53,000, but as outlined by Crain’s Detroit Business, the media exposure the gesture brought to GM was worth approximately $ 9 million. A non-contracted study by research group Joyce Julius and Associates Inc. tracked the coverage the Galarraga Corvette brought to GM, from 714 TV shots to 151,000 print publications and countless Web entries.

Source for this article: Armando Galarraga Corvette gift from GM burns taxpayers

Taxpayers angered by Galarraga Corvette windfall

California Rep. Darrell Issa gave a critical voice to what many taxpayers are thinking after GM gave Galarraga the very generous Corvette gift. Issa’s spokesman Kurt Bardella told the New York Times that “Until GM has repaid the taxpayers in full for the money they have borrowed, each and every action they take should advance them in that direction.” The U.S. government owns 61 percent of GM right now, and because GM still owes taxpayers for its bailout investment, the Galarraga Corvette giveaway was quite inappropriate. Such is the case in spite of the fact that Armando Galarraga may have earned praise for the manner in which he conducted himself following the blown call by umpire Jim Joyce that cost Galarraga a perfect game. Joyce later admitted that he had made a mistake with the call. Galarraga’s game was perfect.

Although GM repaid the loan, they did it with one more bailout loan

Rep. Issa is not the only one who noticed that GM aired a TV commercial in May 2010 that claimed it had paid back its government bailout loan. It was reported by Crain’s that the fact is that GM was only able to do so because it took out an additional government auto bailout loan. Perhaps the $ 9 million windfall from the Galarraga Corvette can really help them to take care of that loan on the books? That kind of brand value publicity works just as well as any asset when it comes to repaying debt.

Find more details on this topic

Crain’s Detroit Business

crainsdetroit.com/article/20100609/FREE/100609856

Personal Money Store

personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/06/03/perfect-game-blown-call-joyce/

GM recalls 1.5 million cars - Flaming windshield wiper heater

1.5 million automobiles were announced Tuesday as being recalled by GM. The GM recall issue is a heated windshield wiper fluid system that has caught fire in a few cases. General Motors Co. is actually recalling numerous of the vehicles a second time for the exact same problem. Technicians at GM dealers will disable the system, made by a vendor who has since gone bankrupt. Vehicle owners will receive $100 from the GM recall as compensation for the loss of the feature.

Article Resource: GM recalls 1.5 million autos – Flaming windshield wiper heater By Personal Money Store

The GM recall list

The GM recall list involves various pickup trucks, sport utility autos, crossovers and passenger car models from 2006 to 2009. The Associated Press reports that a 2008 GM recall of more than 900,000 vehicles addressed the exact same problem. There is a short circuit that could overheat the ground wire. Some reports even included fires. GM said there is no report of injuries or crashes by there were five fires. Nearly 1.4 million automobiles in the GM recall are within the U.S. and more than 100,000 autos are in Canada, Mexico and other international markets.

Shorted out windshield wiper heater

In the 2008 GM recall, dealers installed a fuse to shut off the system in the event of a short circuit. It was reported by CNNMoney.com the problem in the current GM recall is not related to the one involved within the first recall. In the five cars that really caught fire, an analysis showed the fire is not being stopped by the fuse.

The windshield wiper heater is disabled

After the first GM recall of the wiper fluid heater, GM said they tried to keep track of the HotShot system made by Micro-Heat. The Detroit Free Press reports that GM withheld payments from Micro-Heat after the first recall to cover its costs, and the business was forced to file for bankruptcy and liquidate. GM explained that because Micro-Heat no longer existed, it could not provide an improved design. For the new recall, dealers will remove the fluid heater and reroute some hoses.

Trying to rebound from the GM bailout

Before the recall just announced, GM had posted a first quarter profit — the very first time it had been in the black given that 2007. In 2009 the GM bailout of more than $50 billion prevented a GM bankruptcy following the business posted losses of $6 billion. GM recently repaid a portion of the bailout and radical restructuring has put the company back on the road to profitability. U.S. auto sales for GM brands were up 17 percent compared to May 2009. GM's sales gains were led by a 32 percent rise in sales of four of the brands that survived its bankruptcy filing.

Brands on the GM recall list

GM will start sending letters to owners later this month. In the meantime, people who own the GM brands on the recall list below can contact their dealer to have the heated washer system removed.

The brand Buick Enclave, 2008-2009
The brand Buick Lucerne, 2006-2009
The brand Cadillac CTS, 2008-2009.
Cadillac DTS, 2006-2009
Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2009
The Cadillac Escalade DSV, 2007-2009
Cadillac Escalade EXT 2007-2009
The Chevrolet Avalanche, 2007-2009
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2007-2009
Chevrolet Suburban, 2007-2009
The Chevrolet Tahoe, 2007-2009
The Chevrolet Traverse, 2009
The brand GMC Acadia, 2007-2009
GMC Sierra, 2007-2009
The brand GMC Yukon, 2007-2009
The GMC Yukon XL, 2007-2009
The Hummer H2, 2006-2009
Saturn Outlook, 2007-2009

More details on this topic

Associated Press
google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jgT-fFgV3QIGddh2EA_7mmZE4wVwD9G7660G0
CNN Money.com
money.cnn.com/2010/06/08/autos/gm_washer_heater_recall/?npt=NP1
Detroit Free Press
freep.com/article/20100608/BUSINESS0101/100608018/1210/BUSINESS01/Fire-prone-wiper-fluid-gear-sparks-GM-recall

Getting good rates on personal loans

Someplace along the line, every person will need a personnel loans of some sort. Whether it's an emergency loan until payday because you blew a flat tire, or for a home, car or college education, the chances are fairly high that you’ll have to finance something eventually. If you are getting into the market for personal loans for whatever reason you’ve, you will find a couple of things that can help you get the best personel loans rates.

First thing in rates for personel loans is credit score

Your credit score is one of one of the most significant details about your financial life, and it is also significant to the lender when you apply for personal loans. It may be unfair but is entrenched sadly. To better your chances to get a personal loan, you would like to boost your credit score. Make sure that you pay off all your credit cards. With numerous cards, start with one and pay them off until you only have one or two left. Even if you can't pay it all, some payment is better than none.

Lay down your money

The more you offer as a down payment, the less you’ll owe on the principle. The less you owe on the principle, the better the interest rate could be and also the less you’ll have to pay. Generally you only have to have a down payment on things like homes or cars. According to a recent Forbes piece, a 20 percent down payment on a home is beginning to get out of reach. This is part of an overall trend, as the needs to make that upfront payment loosen. That practice seems to be getting nipped within the bud, so for any large personel loans, expect it to come up.

don't be afraid to refinance when you are shopping around

As with any product or service, shop around. One of the great things about credit unions is that they carry much lower risk structurally than any kind of bank does, and often can offer lower rates than some banks. There will be a lower overhead with less bonuses. Also, if you’ve a large enough loan, such as a mortgage loan, car loan, student loan or business loan, don’t be afraid to refinance once you’re within the right position. You will have a lot more money as part of your pocket with lower interest rates and lower payments.

Read more on this topic here

blogs.forbes.com/moneybuilder/2010/06/03/down-payment-on-home-out-of-reach-for-half-of-u-s-poll-finds/
Forbes

Bankruptcy filings may now contain private student loans

A private student loan is, for many low-income students, a way to pay for college. These loans are not supported by the federal government, however they are generally extraordinarily easy to get, however they could be difficult to pay back. If new legislation in Congress passes, private student loans will no longer be exempted from bankruptcy. As a final solution, though, we as a society might have to re-adjust how education is valued.

Source for this article: Private student loans may now be subject to bankruptcy filings By Personal Money Store

borrow money|borrow money} with private student loans|Private student loans are one way that up to one-third of students pay for their education}. A large majority of student choose to take out some type of loan to help pay for college. {The first “line of loans” are the federally supported and now federally administered loans|The first type of loan that most people take out are federally administered loans. The limit on these loans, however, often falls far below the cost of education. Almost half of parents or students take out some kind of loan to make up that difference. These private student loans are essentially loans with no credit check – and students are taking them out at higher rates than ever before. These loans often have variable interest rates and are offered with very little, if any, consideration of the st! udent’s ability to repay the loan.

Why private student loans cause troubles

Many private student loans are taken out by students attending for-profit colleges or ultra-expensive “top tier” private colleges. Unlike a casino loan, payday loans no faxing, credit card bill or even some mortgages, private student loans cannot be settled during bankruptcy proceedings. Paying down these loans is the only way to settle them, even if one files for bankruptcy.

Judging the value of an education

The justification for many families and students that take out private student loans is that an education will always pay for itself. It is true that with a lot more education, average salaries go up and unemployment and underemployment go down. The increasing cost of education makes this math much harder, though. The cost of school is increasing at four times the rate of income, on average.

Citations

Newsrecord.org

NYTimes.com

BLS.gov

Ken Griffey Jr retires from Mariners, baseball

Moments before the June 2, 2010, game against the Minnesota Twins, the Seattle Mariners announced the retirement of Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey caught just about everyone off guard with the announcement. The decision seems to are on his mind for a while, and he would rather call it a day early than remain on the team for the sake of nostalgia. He had an accomplished career. As the fifth all time home run hitter, he is in rarefied air as a player.

Article Source: Ken Griffey Jr retires from Mariners, baseball

Ken Griffey Jr retires after 21 years

Ken Griffey Jr's retirement ends a legendary career among sportsmen of the Pacific Northwest. Ken Griffey Jr is about as separable from the Seattle Mariners as Babe Ruth is from the New York Yankees. He made his professional debut in 1989, and he and his father are the only father and son to have played on the exact same team. He was each bit the prodigy, and was prolific on offense and defense. He won the Golden Glove from the American League 10 times and hit nearly 400 home runs in his original stint with Seattle.

The Kid departs from the Emerald City

By the time he was traded, Griffey had been wanting to move closer to his family, which was always his greatest priority. The Cincinnati Reds traded for him, and ironically, it was the Reds who his father played for and won two World Series with. Though his time in Cincinnati was productive, he was plagued by injuries. Half way through the 2008 season, Griffey was traded to the White Sox. After the end of that season, he entered free agency, and wild speculation began that he may return to the Mariners.

The prodigal son returns

Returning in 2009, he hit 19 home runs within the 2009 season. By May of 2010, he had seen little time at the plate and no home runs. As outlined by the Seattle Times, he was listed as eligible to play in a Tuesday night game against the Twins. A quick pre-game press conference was called at Safeco Field, and that was it. He had promised he would "never allow myself to become a distraction." He knew when it was time, and said goodbye.

Find a lot more information on this topic

Seattle Times

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2012015906_griffey03.html

Paycheck loans helping you build a good credit score and start credit repair

A good credit score is a major quality of life issue for everyone. Fixing bad credit and building good credit isn't at all complicated. It’s a simple two-step process. First you need to pay your bills on time. Borrow money and repay it secondly. A pay day can be something to help you with this. With good credit preserved through smart payday loans use, a person can get much better deals, it is easier for them to get apartments and most importantly, it's easier to get hired for a better job when the employer sees a good credit score.

Resource for this article: Payday loans – build a good credit score and start credit repair

Credit built by Monday loans

Money loans factor most in a good credit score. In the current economic climate, banks are very reluctant to make payday advances and can’t be considered a reliable source of borrowing for most people. A credit card is a good option. Use is frequently. Check the fine print to make sure it doesn't have annual fees and has a low interest. Don’t ever keep a balance on the card. Paying off the entire balance each month avoids interest charges and shows good personal financial management.

I need quick payday

Building a good credit score by paying all of your rent, utility bills and credit card balances on time always works perfectly on paper. But sometimes real life throws a monkey wrench to the most carefully made plans. The car dies. A child gets injured and needs emergency care. A toothache and now a root canal. So now what? A late credit card payment can cost a fortune in penalties and interest. If the check that was written to make that credit card payment on time bounces, the bank pounces with an outrageous NSF (non-sufficient funds) fee.

Getting exact same day payday loans

In emergencies, safeguarding a good credit score might call for getting a payday loan. Payday lenders provide a valuable service and are very reasonable when being compared to default fees of mainstream lenders. For example a $100 payday advance commonly comes with a $15 fee. Compare that with a $100 bounced check with $48 NSF fee. A paydayloans can stay away from that bounced check fee and also the credit report damage that comes with it. And to add to that, your credit score will do well because you’ll have borrowed and paid back.

No credit check on secured loans

The best way to protect a good credit score in an emergency is getting instant online loans. Hundreds of payday loan lenders are online competing to give you money. A quick ten minute paydayloans application leads to cash in the banking account the very same day. Payday cash today firms don’t conduct a credit check. But the borrower must always stay on spending budget and pay in full at the end of the term, typically 14 days. If it is not paid back in time, a payday loan is just one more problem.

Discover a lot more information on this topic

Annualcreditreport.com
annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Jane Lynch marries Dr. Laura Embry

The relationship between Dr. Laura Embry and Jane Lynch was made legal in a small Massachusetts ceremony over Memorial Day. Dr. Laura Embry and Jane Lynch have not publicly announced their marriage yet, though they have been engaged given that November. Though the marriage is very large news, the story most individuals are most interested in is what is going to happen on the newest season of "Glee.”

Source for this article: Dr. Laura Embry and Jane Lynch tie the knot in Massachusetts

Embry and Lynch

The relationship between Dr. Laura Embry and Jane Lynch has been in headlines given that November, when the couple got engaged. Jane Lynch used to be within the comedy group Second City, and is now best-known for her cheerleading coach on "Glee.” A psychologist who, a few years ago, was in a custody battle for her kids, Dr. Laura Embry works as a psychologist. The small Massachusetts ceremony did not require a low rate personal loans, as the couple is very successful.

Jane Lynch and Dr. Laura Embry’s wedding

The small, private wedding between Dr. Laura Embry and Jane Lynch was held at the Blue Heron Restaurant in Sunderland, Mass. A friend of the couple officiated the 20-minute ceremony where they exchanged vows. Both Dr. Laura Embry and Jane Lynch wore cream and black – Jane in black slacks and a cream top, and Laura in a cocktail-length dress. After the quick ceremony, the guests feasted on a dinner and dessert spread prepared by the chef at the Blue Heron.

'Glee' to make changes to Jane Lynch's character

Her marriage to longterm girlfriend Dr. Laura Embry is not the only big change coming for Jane Lynch. On "Glee", where Jane Lynch plays Sue Sylvester, changes are certain to be seen in Season 2. On “Glee” season two, a conservative Christian character is going to be introduced. The producers want to balance out the "pretty hard shots at the right wing" that they have taken during the first season of the show. It should be interesting to see how Sue Sylvester reacts.

Lakers vs. Celtics - The 2010 NBA Finals are here

All those who are huge Basketball fans, the culmination of yet another NBA season has arrived with an NBA Finals matchup that features Lakers vs. Celtics. The 50-year-old rivalry is the stuff of basketball legend, and when the current Lakers-Celtics matchup may not boast a Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell, Jerry West vs. John Havlicek or Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird, it does offer Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the Lakers vs. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and also the Celtics. It is certain to be very exciting.

Article Resource: Lakers vs. Celtics – The 2010 NBA Finals are here By Personal Money Store

What is the NBA finals schedule – Lakers vs. Celtics?

Whether you need to look at the Lakers-Celtics matchup on television or listen to the radio broadcast, you have to know the NBA Finals schedule and have cash advances in place if your cable or satellite has been disconnected. In the US and TSN in Canada, the telecast can be on your local ABC. The 2010 NBA finals will be on ESPN radio station. Following are dates and times for 2010 NBA Finals games:

Thursday, June 3 – 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 6 – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 8 – 9 p.m.
Thursday, June 10 – 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 13 – 8 p.m. (if necessary)
Tuesday, June 15 – 9 p.m. (if necessary)
Thursday, June 17 – 9 p.m. (if necessary)

Lakers vs. Celtics – breaking it down

According to SB Nation, it’s going to come down to whether the Lakers afford the Boston Celtics team room to run. The transition game – converting defensive rebounds into quick fast break scores – is the strength of the Celtics’ offense, thanks to the quickness of point guard Rajon Rondo. The Celtics should be a power in more deliberate half-court offensive sets – between Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, they have massive offensive talent – however they appear to lack either the patience or focus to pick apart half-court defenses. The Los Angeles Lakers’ half-court defense tends to lose focus when their defenders are forced to rotate off opponent picks multiple times, but it is nevertheless a lot more potent than the half-court offense the Celtics bring. If the Celtics start running, they may be too much for the Lakers to handle.

How about the Celtics defense?

Opinions vary on the Celtic’s defense. It’s the classic example of rough-and-tumble East Coast defense versus a finesse-style West Coast offense. The Celtics aren’t afraid to put multiple bodies on the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, and a well-timed push or shove can sometimes be enough to throw the best offensive player off his game. On the other hand, Bryant once said during a press conference that the Celtics’ defense “sucks.” You may interpret that as you will. Whatever the case, the Lakers have had trouble scoring against pressure defenses, and also the Celtics are certainly capable of that. The Lakers' defense will be determined by their offensive rebounding. Thus, if Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom turn in inspired efforts that show on the boards, that could surely be enough to provide Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol with the scoring opportunities that they’ll need to bring victory to the Lakers.

Prediction for Lakers vs. Celtics

Kobe Bryant happened to have a good postseason. He can help his team win. Still, the Celtics have too many weapons. Lakers vs. Celtics might end with a Boston Celtics victory.

Citations

SB Nation

Al and Tipper Gore no longer Joined At The Heart

In an e-mail to friends and family Tuesday, Al Gore and Tipper Gore have announced that they will be separating. According to the couple, the decision to separate from their 40 year marriage was "mutual". The couple has four children and has stated that they “do not intend to comment any further.”

Source for this article: Al Gore and Tipper Gore separate – No longer Joined At The Heart By Personal Money Store

Al and Tipper Gore

When Tipper was just 16 years old, she met Al Gore at a high school dance. When they were both in their early twenties, they tied the knot. As a photographer, author, and public figure, Tipper Gore has been in and out of the spotlight. Tipper Gore is known best for her 1985 campaign against hard metal music. After serving eight years as Vice President, Al Gore created the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.” That film earned Al Gore an Oscar and also the quick payday loan that came with his Nobel Peace Prize.

Al and Tipper Gore announce separation

Politico obtained the email sent to friends and family where they announced their separation. The email said, among other things:

We are announcing today that after a great deal of thought and discussion, we have decided to separate. This is very much a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration. We ask for respect for our privacy and that of our family, and we don’t intend to comment further.”

Al Gore and Tipper Gore’s public profile

The marriage between Al and Tipper Gore was usually seen, publicly, as very strong. The kiss between Al and Tipper Gore at the National Democratic Convention in 2000 was the subject of much news attention. Al and Tipper Gore published a book that discusses the history of the American Family in 2002 – called "Joined At The Heart". The book highlights "structurally strong" relationships, and highlights Al and Tipper Gore's relationship among others.

Read more on this topic here

Politico

Amazon.com "Joined At The Heart"

Google bans Windows over security concerns

At the California Googleplex and around the world, concerns over security have led to Google officially giving Windows the boot. This move by Google is a response to security problems with Windows operating systems, also as a lead-up to Google's Chrome OS. Google employees will no longer be allowed to use Windows, but they will nevertheless be offered an option of operating systems.

Article Source: Google bans Windows over security concerns

Google dumps Windows officially

The official policy of Google on Windows has been, until now, more flexible. Google employees were offered the option of Windows, Linux or Mac operating systems. Now, if Google employees want to keep Windows as an operating system, they have to get CIO approval. At the same time that Windows use has been officially limited, Google’s Chrome OS is being pushed as an option option. The hacking of Google’s China channels created an urgency for this move.

Google is concerned about Windows security

About 80 percent of the computers in use today use the Windows operating system — every little thing from offices to credit counseling offices. This homogeneity across the system makes Windows an easy target for hackers and computer viruses. Google has moved to Mac and Linux operating systems because of this security hole. Because Google’s dedicated developers design programs for wide use, they are able to avoid many of the downfalls of Windows security holes.

Is this Google Windows move a publicity stunt?

Some wonder whether Google’s banning of Windows is a lot more of a publicity stunt than a security move. For the last year or two, Google has been creating Chrome OS – a Windows competitor. The Google Chrome web browser was the first public release of this operating system. The Google Chrome OS is an open-source operating system — an operating system that can be edited and improved by any user. Some may think an open-source programmed operating system may be less secure, but that has not proven true. Yes, Google will be introducing a competitor to the Windows operating system — but that is not the only reason Windows has been banned from the Google corporate operating system.

Guillermo Del Toro has to ramble on after he quits The Hobbit

Over two years ago, Guillermo Del Toro, the director of Pan’s Labyrinth and also the Hellboy series among other films, was attached to direct The Hobbit. It is the prequel to the wildly successful Lord of the Rings series, written by JRR Tolkien. Peter Jackson got Guillermo Del Toro to move to New Zealand to help him bring the book to the large screen. A new director is needed as the financial woes of MGM studios has caused too numerous delays, and Del Toro’s role as director has been put on the killing floor.

Source for this article: Guillermo Del Toro drops The Hobbit and rambles on to other work

Guillermo Del Toro attached after long struggle

A film of The Hobbit was inevitable after the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The roadblock was the rights to The Hobbit are owned by United Artists and Metro Goldwyn Mayer, but Peter Jackson belongs to New Line and Warner Brothers. An agreement was made, but conditioned on someone other than Jackson directing. It was decided that Guillermo Del Toro would make online cash loans rain from the sky, as his films feature exquisite visual design.

No quarter from troubles in development

As MGM is still within the vice like grip of money troubles, work on The Hobbit has ground to a halt. The film can be in two installments scheduled for release a year apart, and initially the first was due in 2010, but now won’t debut until at least 2012, as outlined by CNN. Del Toro confirmed that him leaving the project has anything to do with the financial difficulties of the studio, but he will remain in no matter what capacity he can, as so much pre-production has already been done. He relocated himself and his family to Wellington to make the film.

Another film trampled underfoot by studio troubles

The live action version of The Hobbit is one of the latest projects in what is called development hell. Development hell is what it is called when a project, be it a movie or album or video game, has a real hard time getting put together and released. There appears to be a lot of smog around The Hobbit, and 2012 is beginning to look optimistic at best.

Read more on this topic here

CNN

Wikipedia

New AT and T data plan - Lower prices and lower limits

On Monday, there could be new data plans a pricing for AT and T smartphones and tablets. This new AT and T data plan pricing is intended to help reduce network usage while providing more transparency in the billing process. Many wonder whether other wireless carriers will follow suit.

Article Source: a title=”Lower prices and lower limits – New AT and T data plan” href=”http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/06/02/new-att-data-plan/”>New AT and T data plan – Lower prices and lower limits

AT and T data plans will eliminate ‘unlimited’

When the iPhone was introduced on the AT and T network within the beginning, the one-size-fits-all data plan was a $29.99 a month “unlimited” plan. Sometimes the definition of unlimited was confused. Some of the AT and T customers got huge data-use bills that indicated there was a limit to network usage that they weren’t aware of. Some customers had to pay their bills with easy payday loans . Such heavy use of the data network has also led to quite a couple of dropped calls and slow data speeds that are a tough sticking point between the carrier and customers.

The AT and T data plan

The new data plans revealed by AT and T can have 3 “levels” of data use. The first can be a $15 plan that will allow 200 mb of data per month. The second is a $25 plan allowing 2 gb per month. It costs an additional $20 per month to connect a laptop to the internet. These new AT and T data plans will send a free text message to users when they’re approaching their data limit. These data limits will not apply when the smartphone or tablet is being used at a WiFi hotspot – only the 3G network. Users that already have a contract with AT and T can keep their “unlimited” plans and pricing, even when renewing their contracts.

Different effects on the AT and T data plans

While the new AT and T data plans will reduce cost for light data users, heavy data users will feel the strongest effects. Many wireless carriers and app developers have been working to move streaming video and data-intense applications onto smartphones and tablets. By limiting all of their data use so heavily, AT and T will be limiting the accessible applications on its 3G or 4G network. The chairman of the FCC showed concern over the “bandwidth crisis” that smartphones have created. If other wireless carriers don’t follow the AT and T data plan model and limit their data usage, then heavy users will probably just switch carriers. Though demand for wireless data services has increased dramatically within the last few years, capacity is growing at a much slower rate.

Guillermo Del Toro has to ramble on after he quits The Hobbit

After directing the wildly successful Pans Labyrinth and also the Hellboy series, Guillermo Del Toro was hired to direct The Hobbit. The Hobbit was written by JRR Tolkien as the prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Peter Jackson really certain Del Toro to move to New Zealand to help him get it onto the large screen. However, the tandem of the future of MGM Studios and also the enormous commitment caused Del Toro to bring the metaphorical hammer of the gods down on the project, and a new director is being sought.

Article Resource: Guillermo Del Toro drops The Hobbit and rambles on to other work

After a long struggle Guillermo Del Toro was hired

Since The Lord of the Rings trilogy was so popular, a film of The Hobbit was all but inevitable. The problem is that LOTR and Peter Jackson belong to New Line, and the Hobbit is owned by United Artists and Metro Goldwyn Mayer. An agreement was made, but conditioned on someone other than Jackson directing. It was decided that Guillermo Del Toro would make instant cash rain from the sky, as his films feature exquisite visual design.

No quarter from development troubles

When MGM became plagued with financial troubles, work on The Hobbit slowed. According to CNN, the film can be in two installments, and the first was originally going to be out in 2010, but now the releases are believed to be in 2012 and 2013. Del Toro confirmed that him leaving the project has every little thing to do with the financial difficulties of the studio, but he will remain in no matter what capacity he can, as so much pre-production has already been done. He moved to Wellington to work on the project.

Studios have yet again trampled underfoot a huge film

Difficulties like plague The Hobbit put it in what is called development hell. When an album, film, or video game, has too numerous obstacles to get released, that’s when it is in development hell. Due to the intense haze of smog around The Hobbit, 2012 is looking unrealistic.

More information on this topic

CNN

Wikipedia

Mark Twain still making headlines after a century

There are two recent happenings that are starting to put the Lincoln of our literature, as Howells put it, into headlines as of late. Tina Fey is receiving the Mark Twain Award For American Humor, for starters. It’s a prestigious award, to be sure. It’s the other news that’s a bit juicier. We have had to wait a hundred years for Mark Twain’s autobiography, which is slated to come out soon.

Tina Fey receives Mark Twain prize

Tina Fey has been named the recipient of the 2010 Mark Twain Award for American Humor. The prize is granted by the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, beginning in 1998. The list of past winners is a who’s who of humor. Past winners include Richard Pryor, Billy Crystal, Lorne Michaels, Neil Simon, Steve Martin and George Carlin. Fey will be the second woman to receive the award, along with Lily Tomlin. Though Tina Fey is deserving, it’s the other Mark Twain news I’d give some instant cash to get the inside scoop on.

The 100 year wait was his idea

As he neared his death, Mark Twain put into his will that his memoirs would not be released until 100 years after he died. Well, Mark Twain (Samuel Longhorn Clemens) died April 21, 1910. It has been 100 years, so it’s high time for his memoirs to finally see the light of day. The collection of memoirs has been in storage, according to CBS, at University of California, Berkeley, for a long time. Some editing is likely necessary, but his autobiography may be out by the end of the year.

Why a century of waiting?

Twain loved having an adoring public, and he didn’t want to sully himself in the public eye with revelations about his views of his personal life. Some of his last works, such as The Mysterious Stranger and Letters From Earth had to be published well over a decade after his death to the work being incredibly dark. The books were pieced together by his editor and published against his daughter’s wishes. The autobiography ought to be riveting, and congratulations are in order to Tina Fey.

Citations:

Mark Twain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain

CBS

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/24/national/main6514831.shtml

Determining Whether Your Car Is Classic Or Antique

Nothing really beats a perfectly restored antique or classic car. Elegant line, dazzling chrome and even genteel carriage evoke pleasant memories of the past, transporting us into personal fantasy where “They don’t make them like they used to” will never ring false. But how are people ever to tell if their hobby cars are antique or classical? Thankfully, there are guidelines. Just remember, whether a car is classic or antique, it should generally not be used as a daily commuter, unless you have unlimited funds at your disposal and don’t need auto loans to purchase vehicles.

Arent classic and antique the same thing?

It isn’t necessarily true that classic and antique are the same as some would argue. According to Wikipedia, “classic car” is used to refer to high quality vehicles from pre world war II era. However, according to U.S. auto insurance laws, 20 years of life for a car is approximately double the expectancy intended for most modern cars, so the “classic car” title sets in after a car is 20 years old. And classic or antique car insurance is always more expensive than insurance for a standard vehicle because older models don’t have the same safety features that come standard in newer cars. In the United Kingdom, the term “antique car” isn’t used, although they do use the phrase “vintage” to refer to vehicles more than 100 years old.

Contact the Classic Car Club of America

The Classic Car Club of America (aka the CCCA) is full of people who live and breathe classic and antique cars. They have their own standards of what is considered antique or classic. Classic is what they call cars that are considered expensive mass market vehicles made between 1949 and 1985. Original parts need to be included in these cars and it doesn’t necessarily have to be American-made. The Antique Automobile Club of America classifies cars that are older than 25 years antique, but “the legal definition for the purpose of antique vehicle registration varies widely,” according to Wikipedia.

Things are different in the UK

Car insurance companies in the UK also decide what a classic car is. Cars made 15 to 25 years ago are considered modern classic cars, but to confuse things a bit, UK insurance companies aren’t sticklers about this. Cars that don’t fall within the guidelines can still be considered collectible.

Classic car insurance final word

Funneling money into maintaining and restoring a classic or antique car makes insuring it essential. Discussing the matter with a licensed insurance agent is what you should do if you want to fully protect your classic or antique car investment.

Citations:

Wikipedia (classic car)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_car

Wikipedia (antique car)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antique_car

HowToDoThings.com

http://www.howtodothings.com/automotive/how-to-determine-if-your-car-is-a-classic

Classic Car Club of America

http://www.classiccarclub.org/