Arguments against Marijuana Legalization in California - Part One

California’s Secretary of State has certified how the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis act in California has received enough voter signatures to be included on the ballot in November. The arguments for passing the initiative are summarized in California Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act: Part 1. While polls show a 59 percent majority of California voters who have decided to support the marijuana legalization measure, there are opponents of the voter initiative that say the tax pay day is not worth the problems the act will create. Major opponents of the bill include those who believe the act will increase crime and those who believe the act will decrease the quality of marijuana available.

Medical arguments against legal marijuana

While the medical uses of marijuana are under debate, quite a few doctors agree there are some medical uses for the drug. However, if marijuana is legalized, public health could possibly be harmed.

Marijuana is mainly ingested through smoking, and the smoking of any substance, especially long-term, can seriously damage a person’s lungs. Studies have also found that heavy pot smoking can permanently harm short term memory and reaction time. Medical opponents of legal recreational marijuana argue that legalization would increase use, and therefore harm public health.

The crime argument against marijuana legalization

The California Peace Officers Association, among several others, has spoken out against the initiative intended to legalize marijuana. The Association lobbyist has been quoted in several news sources as saying “We have enough problems with alcohol and abuse of pharmaceutical products. Do we really have to add yet another mind-altering substance to the array?”

Opponents also highlight that no matter what California voters determine, federal law classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug. Federal law enforcement officials have not been prosecuting small medical marijuana dispensaries or users, but large-scale production and distribution still remains a serious federal crime. If marijuana were to be legalized in California, it could draw organized crime and drug cartels to the state.

Arguments against legal marijuana – Quality

While numerous marijuana smokers and growers usually stand at odds against those who want to keep marijuana illegal, a small coalition is emerging. In Humboldt County, lots of growers and distributors of gray or black market marijuana fear that legalized pot could possibly be economically and socially damaging. Growers fear that if marijuana were legal, it would decrease the sales price of their cash crop. This would put their livelihood and the economic base of much of Humboldt county at risk, sending many of them to credit counseling. As in various other markets, growers worry that legal marijuana would mean corporations would begin producing competition to their crops. Like other farmers in America, pot growers would be forced to compete with agribusinesses, which would increase cost and reduce profit.

There are very outspoken supporters on both sides of California’s Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act. The debate about legal marijuana has been raging in the United States for over a hundred years, and the result of California’s election is sure to be attentively watched.

Duke having made the Final Four teams has NCAA breathing a sigh of relief

Duke, West Virginia, Butler and Michigan State are your Final Four teams for 2010. For all the NCAA bracket devotees, that's two five seeds, an upstart two seed, and a one seed. Even the autistic kid's bracket is wrong by now since this is the first time since 2000 that a team lower than fourth seed has progressed this far. These Final Four teams nearly gave the NCAA a disastrous coronary, because the NCAA depends upon March Madness for more than 90 percent of its annual revenue, according to the San Jose-Mercury News. Duke brings name recognition to casual basketball fan flocks so the bigwigs can rest easy. In a TV contract negotiation year, no less, there should be a big spike in merchandise and massive television ratings. Without Duke, there will be no big bargaining chips and a need for money lenders.

Catch the Final Four teams with the Final Four Use the schedule

Saturday, April 3 on CBS or March Madness On Demand in you would rather watch online, all Final Four teams will play. The winners will meet for the NCAA Championship game on Monday, April 5, which happens to also be the first full day of the Major League Baseball season. Again, CBS and March Madness On Demand will be the places to look at the championship game. Normally the games are played in the early evening, including the championship game, but the time it will start exactly has not yet been announced. Check your local listings!

The Final Four teams – things to watch out for

1. Butler has the opportunity to play only 15 minutes away from their home campus. The "Gonzaga" of the Horizon conference should not be a shock to anyone for they placed in the Final Four teams, especially since they are on a 24-game winning streak.

2. Michigan State lost to North Carolina in last year’s championship, and Tom Izzo is an ace coach. No surprises here, either.

3. Since 1959, this is the first Final Four appearance being made by West Virginia. That was way back when Jerry West, Mr. Clutch, was still lacing them. Here’s the bracket buster, the black sheep among the Final Four teams for 2010. They always win, whether it is pretty or not. Luckily, Da'Sean Butler is an amazing scorer.

4. Duke may be well-coached, plays basketball smart, and has amazing ability. Coach Krzyzewski learned the trade from Bobby Knight, a drill sergeant in coach’s clothing. His players probably qualify for military payday loans. Although they could be exploited by more athletic teams, that is what makes them the favorite. Is it possible for the other Final Four teams to wear Duke down?

New Moore Island sinking to the sea

short term loan of living space on other shores, the issue promises to only get worse. The dispute over New Moore Island is bringing media attention to the increasing sea claiming more land then every before.

New Moore Island by any other name

At less than 3 square miles, New Moore Island is a relatively small chunk of disputed land. The government of India claimed the island as part of their territory, stating that New Moore Island fell within established maritime borders. On the other hand, Bangledesh also states what they call South Talpatti. Residents of either country have never built a permanent settlement on the island. The island actually came into dispute only about 40 years ago, when New Moore Island / South Talpatti appeared after the Bhola cyclone. At one point, India established a temporary base on South Talpatti / New Moore Island, but international opinion remains split.

Sea levels rise beyond New Moore Island

As reported by the BBC, the School of Oceanographic Studies in Calcutta has officially determined New Moore Island to be covered by sea water. Local fishermen have confirmed the reports that New Moore Island is no more. Before 2000, average yearly sea level rose at about 3mm per year, but in the last decade that has gone up to 5mm per year. In the Bengal Basin region and Sundarban Island chain, where New Moore Island was situated, sea levels have been rising by about 3.14 centimeters a year. Four islands of the Sundarban chain sunk before New Moore Island.
New Moore Island isn’t the only sinker
The Sundarban Island chain is not the sole home to sinking islands. A small nation known as the Maldives in the Indian Ocean has been losing land mass steadily for years. Tiny changes can make a huge impact on these islands, where the highest point is only 8 feet above sea level. In response, the government of the Maldives has been building Hulhumale, a man-made island, for residents to emigrate to. In the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia, Tuvalu is also in danger of sinking. There are 11,000 residents of Tuvalu, all of whom could be without a home in as little as 50 years. A few residents of Tuvalu – 75, to be exact – can use military personal loans to move to New Zealand. Tonga, Kirbati, and the Marshall Islands are also at risk of disappearing just like New Moore Island did.

How to resolve the problem?
In the end, there is no way to precisely measure the cause and effect of small islands ending up in the ocean. Sea levels rise and fall regularly, and island land masses can also rise and sink on their own. Some say the sea levels are increasing because of climate change, others because of natural climate variations. No matter who or what is to blame, though, island nations that are sinking are being forced to find solutions – because there is not yet a way to simply stop the rise and fall of an island in the ocean.

Student Loan Bill: Cutting out the middleman

Tucked inside the health care reform bill that congress passed on Sunday was a bill that will reform the student loan system. By reforming how student loans are administered, the student loan bill will create $ 61 billion in savings within 10 years. $ 30 billion of the] savings could be put back into education, while an additional $ 10 billion will go to deficit alleviation. The student loan bill cuts out banks and financial institutions, and instead requires the Department of Education to administer student loans.

Student loan bill concentrates on administration

The biggest change that the student loan bill will enact is in how the student loan program operates. Student loans have always been governed by Congress, who sets eligibility rules, interest rates, and other rules. Students get a low rate personal loan through lenders who work with the Department of Education to fund the student loans. The school then receives the money after the bank has gotten it from the Department of Education. The government gives subsidies to banks or lending institutions who provide this service. The student loan bill cancels these subsidies out of the spending budget. The department of education will take over the job of administering loans. By cutting these bank subsidies out of the spending budget, the federal government will save about $ 6.1 billion each year.

Reinvesting in education through the student loan bill

The college education system will receive an extra $ 30 billion of funding from the student loan bill savings. The student loan bill says that the $ 30 billion will be used in part to increase the low-income Pell grant. For students using the income-sensitive repayment plan, the student loan bill will also decrease monthly payments. This repayment plan in advance will help make college more affordable for more students.

Opposing viewpoints to the student loan bill

Even though this bill saves the government billions of dollars a year and reinvests in education, there are criticisms. The suggested increase in Pell grant funding doesn’t begin to cover the double-digit percentage rise in tuition costs each year. The loan industry also maintains that by cutting out their part, the government will be cutting jobs. However, most estimates say that comparatively few, if any jobs could be lost, as the government will have to hire personnel to administer the loans. Finally, there is concern that the interest rates on each unsecured personal loan students take out through the D.O.E. will go up. However, the student loan bill does not change the fact Congress sets the rules, eligibility, and interest rates for student loans.

Calix, MaxLinear, First Interstate: Three IPOs doing well today

First public offerings are the birthdays of Wall Street – hotly anticipated and closely watched. Today, three separate company IPOs have gone very well. Calix Networks, MaxLinear and First Interstate BancSystem have all shown better-than-expected stock earnings. Both focusing on internet infrastructure, Calix and MaxLinear are doing well since the announcement of the National Broadband Plan. First Interstate is a bank that is using the instant cash of an IPO to improve on their already-strong network.

Calix Networks specializes in equipment

Based in Petaluma, California, Calix Networks started trading on the NASDAQ exchange today under the ticker symbol CALX. Calyx designs and manufactures equipment that manages telephone, television, and internet fiber networks. Calix already has a large customer base, including CentryTel. Venture capital investors and private equity firms provided the $200 million start-up price of Calix. The $16 a share price is above and beyond what Calix had estimated for their IPO. Industry analysists say that Calix’s stock price will continue to improve.

Power-saving chips from MaxLinear

Carlsbad, California based MaxLinear also had their IPO today peform well. Trading on the NYSE as MXL, MaxLinear was last trading at about $18 a share. Various mobile devices have the processing chips that MaxLinear designs and manufactures. The battery life of various small devices can be extended with MaxLinear’s low-power chips. MaxLinear also raise initial start-up costs with quick payday loans through venture capital firms. One of probably the most hotly anticipated IPOs of the day, MaxLinear stocks quickly passed the $13 per stock estimates. Several consumer electronics, such as TVs, cell phones, and tablet PCs use MaxLinear’s chips.

Strong western banking at First Interstate

A regional bank’s IPO acted as the antidote to the high-technology offerings of Calix and MaxLinear. First Interstate BancSystem Inc. is a regional banking system with branches in Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming. First Interstate is the first bank to go on the public market since July of 2007, and the stock quickly went to $16 a share. While other banks were closing doors, First Interstate was able to show improved net interest income and total assets. First Interstate is trading under the stock symbol FIBK.

Sources:

The Associated Press

Wall Street Journal

Red Herring

24/7 Wall Street

Infantino Sling Rider recall affects more than 1 million items

A recent baby sling recall by Infantino that affects the “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” models – heretofore to be referred to as the “Infantino Sling Rider Recall” – will take more than 1 million products off the market. As reported from the Chicago Tribune, that is 1 million from the U.S. and 15,000 from Canada. It seems a nightmare for the possibility that your infant under four months could possibly be suffocated by something as innocent as a sling; finding the problem is as much of a sigh of relief as knowing you can help pay the ER bill with a payday loan.

Three related infant suffocation deaths occurred in 2009, according to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) March 24 report regarding the baby sling recall. The Infantino slings that are in question might possibly tangle a very young baby in its folds and cut off their oxygen supply. Why it took almost the entire first quarter of 2010 before a recall was put into effect is a question for the legal experts.

Parents, it is not a good idea to try and correct your Infantino Sling Rider recall sling

That’s something Infantino advises families NOT to do in the official Infantino Sling Rider recall notice. You need to check the plastic slide piece on the strap if you are unsure of which kind of sling you have. It should say “Infantino” on it. On the inside of the carrier part of the SlingRider, there is a printed warning/instruction label. The CPSC indicates how the “Wendy Bellissimo” has “a sewn-in label on the inside of the sling strap that says in part ‘Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc.’ and lists Item numbers 3937500H7and 3937501H7.”

Where were the products sold?

Both Bellissimo and SlingRider were manufactured in Thailand and China, and they were in stores between January of 2003 and March of 2010. According to the Tribune, Wendy Bellissimo was only sold as Babies “R” Us while Slingrider was sold at numerous locations such as Target, Burlington Coat Factory, Wal-Mart, and Amazon.com.

What will Infantino do to make up for the recall?

They’re supplying a replacement with one of the following products:

• Wrap & Tie infant carrier
• 2 in 1 Purchasing Cart Cover
• 3 in 1 Grow & Play Activity Gym

Furthermore, they’re sending customers affected by the baby sling recall a Jittery Pals Rattle.

What you should do if you own one of the recall products

For that matter, what to do with the Bellissimo sling. First of all, contact Infantino at (866) 860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific, Mon.-Fri. Alternatively, check out Infantino’s Customer Service Web site for a free replacement sling. Yes, it can be free of charge; you won’t need installment loans with no credit check.

It's likely that Sandra Bullock's divorce may possibly equal bye bye Sunny James

Sandra Bullock’s divorce was lead to be a series of blunders by Jesse James. The reason it is a “Sandra Bullock divorce” is because the Mr. Might-be-Nazi-Sympathetic Motorcycle Guy isn’t worth all of the extra plastic letters at the bottom of the marquee. He might buy his own if he had short term installment loans for bad credit. But seriously, Jesse James could lose a lot more than Sandra Bullock in this whole nasty Bombshell McGee/Nazi pictures scenario. According to Fox News, James’ former porn star ex Janine Lindemulder has filed to regain custody of her 6-year-old daughter Sunny, who has been in the custody of Bullock and James. There should be smiles all around for sunny considering Lindemulder has been living in a halfway house after being released from a tax evasion jail term even though the Sandra Bullock divorce might make the court glance at James with disfavor, right?

Sandra Bullock really should definitely divorce him and give Sunny a good home

Typically it isn’t the best idea to take a child from her biological parents and would also normally not be allowed by law, but remember: Justice is blind and selling pencils on the street corner with a dancing monkey. Sandra Bullock could provide a stable home for Sunny. She has all the financial resources she needs, and she will now own half of Jesse James’ empire.

Gavel bangs, bongos play, and Jesse James heads off searching for payday installment loans.

The last stand of Jesse James

The convicted felon is always within the lead in the real world, unfortunately. Now that Jesse James’ common sense is gone, California Family Law attorney Lisa Meyer told Fox that Lindemulder has “a strong case”.

“This definitely raises concerns about Jesse and just how all of this could impact his parenting — whether he was spending enough time with his daughter (throughout the apparent affair) and gives Janine a foot within the door to fight for custody,” Meyer said. “The court may appoint a minor counsel for the child, and the judge would need to take a second look and see what is going on under the surface.”

A Sandra Bullock divorce would make James look “flaky,” says Meyer.

Also, Janine Lindermulder’s crime was only tax evasion. Some argue how the IRS is even unconstitutional, but that will be a story for another day. Various sources claim Lindemulder’s actually a good mom and that James only went after custody since Sandra Bullock and Sunny had bonded and Sandra wants to be a mom. Bullock’s rep states that’s all “categorically false,” and James is keeping his mouth shut, which is probably a good idea.

He may profess his love for Idi Amin, for anything we know.

Having your Pets Insured

Pets could be Part from the Family

Without a doubt, pets are a vital part of quite a few families. They’re part of our life that give joy and help us relax. Costs of pet care are in no way less and are increasing at the very same pace as those for humans. Insurers have seen these conditions and have come out with insurance for the care of pets also. Before you purchase insurance for your pets, what are the things you need to know? Here are some tips that you should help when looking at insuring your pet.

Make a Start by Getting Quotes

If you were buying insurance yourself, you would ask for quotes from the insurer. Apply the very same rules in this case as well and look to get quotes for your pet. Different insurers will always give you different quotes. You could have an opportunity for making comparisons before making a final decision.

Go through the fine Print

Policies to insure pets do not differ from policies that are for property or individuals. Insurance policies for pets are complicated as they carry a number of points in fine print. You could be led towards financial losses if you do not understand these points well enough. Make it a point to go through these points without fail. Rather than neglect the points at any time, you’ll better served by spending a while in reading the document.

Try and Discover Reviews

Any product that is sold in the market has reviews posted about it over the internet. Go online and conduct some research. There could be numerous reviews about the product that you intend to choose for your pet and you also will be sure to find them. As independent users of similar products are the ones who post these reviews, you are able to rely to them.

The Claim Process must be Understood

You are investing cash into an insurance plan for your pet in order to save cash later on. In doing this, you would not want to get entangled in months of paperwork, should the need for a claim arise. Take a good look at the policy and ask questions about the claims process. Before making the investment, be assured that you know every aspect of the claims process.

Take an opinion from your veterinarian

One person who knows your pet as well as you is your veterinarian. Your knowledge about insurance for pets is lesser than your veterinarian and this can be a fact. Advice about the best type of policy that suites you pet can be offered by your veterinarian. Therefore, don't forget to have a word with your veterinarian.

Ask the Insurers to include your Veterinarian within the list that is provided

Insurers tend to have their own preferred veterinarians where they direct you in case of any problems with your pet. There is no need for you for making a change from the person you trust, while you are the one paying the money. Insist how the insurers include the name of your veterinarian to their list of preferred veterinarians. If they disagree, take your business to a location that can accommodate your requirement. Also look online for the best quotes and keep all of the above points in mind. You should not rely on the word in the pet shop or your veterinarian to purchase the insurance. You can get better quotes than what they are able to off by looking around.

Iceland Volcanic Activity: Signs of more to come?

The Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland has begun to emit lava and steam out to the air. The global cooling that no fax loans could solve is the biggest concern if Iceland volcanic activity continues to increase.

Iceland volcanic activity patterns Volcanoes are notoriously difficult for making predictions about. However, seismic activity often precedes volcanic activity on Iceland. The volcanoes in Iceland are much more likely to erupt after earthquakes that force magma nearer to the surface. Scientists who study Iceland volcanic activity have said that, historically, when Eyjafjallajokull begins erupting, Katla always inevitably follows. It is more likely Katla will erupt because the hot gasses and lava from Eyjafjallajokull melt the ice caps over Katla..

Iceland volcanic activity causes cooling

The smog from a 1783 eruption of Iceland volcanic activity was so thick that it cooled the planet. Some British citizens died from inhaling the poisonous gasses. The eruptions also contributed to famine by triggering crop outputs to drop precipitously. The subsequent winter was the coldest winter ever in North America. When Chile’s Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the globe cooled by 4 degrees for a full year.

Volcanic activity isn’t always catastrophic

While the stories of what can occur when Iceland volcanic activity starts to rise could be the stuff of Hollywood movies, that doesn’t imply it will be the worst-case scenario. The globe did not cool and no major environmental effects were felt in 1821, when Eyjafjallajokull last erupted. Volcanoes in Iceland are unique, however, in that their eruptions could be even more troublesome to predict because of the glaciers they sit under. In the end, the best bet is to get a personal loan to stock up your emergency supplies, but don’t lock yourselves in underground bunkers quite yet.

5 year old son in auto when Dwight Gooden was arrested for DWI

Die hard baseball fans will keep in mind that the New York Mets’ Dwight Gooden was one of the most amazing pitchers ever. Dr. K (aka Doc Gooden) combined an explosive 95-mph fastball with movement and a tremendous curveball that buckled a batter’s knees. Sadly, the four-time All-Star’s playing career and life after baseball was marred by alcohol and drug abuse. The New York Daily News said that Gooden’s DWI arrest in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey came after “three and one half years” of sobriety. When it happened, his five year old son Dylan was within the car.

At 45, Dwight Gooden faces multiple charges

As well as driving intoxicated, Gooden has been charged with leaving the scene of the two vehicle accident, reckless driving, DWI with a child passenger, and endangering the welfare of a child. The accident was reported via a 911 call.

The Daily News reported that Gooden was eventually released on his own recognizance. New Jersey Police have not mentioned what drug was involved, although Gooden has fought with alcohol and cocaine in the past. Financial struggles were part of the territory. Hopefully Dwight Gooden would use installment pay day loans appropriately if he did use them.

Missing life – and the Hall of Fame

There is no doubt that Dwight Gooden would are in the Hall of Fame had he not been battling with substance abuse during his career in baseball. Battles with the bottle and cocaine reduced his career, not to mention time spent in five separate rehab stints and in court. Yet that doesn’t even begin to touch upon how much Dwight Gooden has lost in life due to addiction. This is a fight he has with his and his family and it is private, one that might have even involved no credit check personal loans during times of hardship.

The evidence is ample regarding his play days. He finished with a 3.51 ERA and a 194-112 record. According to Baseball Reference, he has 162-game average with a 16-9 season and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Even those stats don’t accurately characterize his early career magnificence. He set the Major League rookie record of 276 strikeouts and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings in the 1984 national Rookie of the Year. You can’t count the rookie “Matches” Matt Kilroy’s 513 strikeouts for the Baltimore of American Association in 1886 since the rules were very different then and these days the American Association is considered less than Major League caliber.

Dr. K’s year was 1985

After an amazing rookie season, Gooden got much better. All he did in 1985 was go 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA and league-leading 268 strikeouts. It was one of probably the most dominant pitching seasons in Major League history. Dr. K played a key role the subsequent season with the New York Mets’ first world series triumph since 1969. Unfortunately, the red flags began to show. He skipped the team’s victory parade because he’d been on a cocaine binge, and by December 13, 1986, he was arrested after fighting police in his hometown of Tampa, Florida. There were flashes of greatness afterward, but nothing like what had come before. He played for the New York Yankees, a team that won titles in 1996 and 2000, and threw a no hitter on Might 14, 1996.

How is it possible to let someone who endangers a young child walk?

The New Jersey Police should be answering that except they won’t talk. Gooden obviously needs help, but he shouldn’t be permitted to put his five year old in danger again. Hopefully it wasn’t a position of skating on fame.

Is it feasible to be happy

Not many of us seem happy today. So many seeming to be chasing one “thing” or another that we are made to think will make us happy. Quite a few of us are not certain if there was any time in our lives where we were truly happy, other than the occasional momentary happiness that comes with a pleasant surprise. Momentary and fleeting happiness is not really happiness at all, it is an emotion more closely related to excitement than happiness. Given the apparent lack of happiness, the question before us is “Is it possible to be happy”?

Such a question is intriguing for various different reasons. It indicates a loss of direction and self confidence, two very important qualities on which true happiness depends. The question also indicates an awareness in the overwhelming prevalence of emotions that are something less than true happiness. Finally, simply asking the question betrays the true impetus behind the question. Of course happiness is possible; the real quandary is how to achieve it and why it seems so elusive

Happiness is the basic motivation behind human existence. If we are happy, then we are either fulfilled or working towards fulfillment. Fulfillment is the key to happiness. Unfortunately for humans but very fortunately for humanity, fulfillment means something different to each and every one of the billions of us on the planet.

A key to fulfillment is interpersonal relationships. The more relationships we have, the better our chances at happiness. In our mad chasing of material dreams, we have forgotten how to even be civil to our neighbors. When was the last time you spoke to your neighbor with anything a lot more than a wave of your hand? There was a time not long ago, when a new neighbor moving in was an event that would cause existing neighbors to welcome the new member to the area. Now, we rarely know our neighbor’s names, and a new neighbor is just an opportunity to find out what homes within the area are selling for.

Through intensive marketing, the mass media has confused most of us as to what self fulfillment and happiness are. We have come to think that others’ desires must be our desires, when really they are normally unrelated. We have confused our herd mentality, that of conforming to those around us, with the need to become just like all of the others around us. Our herd mentality allows us for making life easier in those areas that aren’t important to us. If style is not important to us, we look at what others are generally wearing for clues as to what to wear. We look to those around us to see how to act in public in various settings and situations. We get an idea from the “best” products to purchase by what others have purchased. The herd mentality should not dictate what we do or have, but simply make decision making easier for us in those areas of life that might not be so important as individuals. We have to get dressed before we go out fo! r the day, so we generally wear what others are wearing in our vicinity. Within the west, men wear pants and a shirt. These things are readily available. Men do not have to hunt for them. Men who are not overly concerned with fashion can and should dispense with the expense of name brands if an equivalent alternative is available. However, if fashion is your passion, then purchase that especially well-made, name brand item that is the latest in style. But buy it because the item speaks to you that it fits your fashion sense, is well made, and to you is truly worth the extra money, not because you feel you need to be like the rest of the crowd of supposedly fashionable folks.

We have confused our “need to conform” into thinking we need to be exactly like those around us. This is where we need the confidence to go our own way when our desires dictate. We do not have to have the latest fashion trend. Living in a McMansion is not necessary. Spending cash on a new automobile every couple of years is contrary to what we know is in our best interests, and indeed the best interests in the planet. The associated stress with making the payments and knowing that with a little a lot more self confidence we could keep away from the extra expense ultimately makes us unhappy. The momentary excitement that we feel when we drive an expensive new car off in the dealer’s lot, which we mistake for happiness, ultimately can become a key component in our unhappiness. Yet, without some self confidence, we will put all of our efforts into keeping up with what we perceive everyone else to be doing, even though we know they are not any necessa! rily happy.

It is very evident that “stuff” doesn’t make us happy. With all in the wealth that has been created within the last couple of decades, several people should be very happy. Wealthy people and rich countries seem to be the unhappiest. The poorest countries, as measured by per capita income, consistently are the happiest according to the World Happiness Survey conducted by London School of Economics.

All we have to do to be happy is to listen to that little voice of reason that is constantly talking to us but being drowned out by the marketing din so pervasive today. Let your passions dictate additional of your life, do not let Madison Avenue decide for you. It is not practical for most of us to turn our passions into our career, but whatever your passion is, work at it a little every day, ignore all of the outside din telling us what we ought to do, be or purchase. If happiness is not the norm, what is the point?

Bobby McGee by Crystal Bowersox: Who has big plans?

American Idol last night seemed more like karaoke at the bar down the street. The Billboard Top Hits theme combined with Miley Cyrus offering her surprisingly good advice was a good destination to start. Despite the good theme and entertaining mentor, though, the American Idol last night, other than Crystal Bowersox singing Bobby McGee, really made me just want to have a few drinks. Friends that usually love the show started going online just to research same day payday loans just to pay for their drinks.

Crystal Bowersox blows away the judges with Bobby McGee

Contestants for the American Idol top 11 were told to choose a Billboard Number 1 hit. The majority of the performers used this chance to dig up their favorite karaoke hits. Most of the American Idol Top 11 did not do the Billboard Number 1 hits true justice, though. Of the American Idol top 11, Crystal Bowersox really blew this theme wonderfully out of the water. A powerful voice coupled with a relaxed attitude helped Crystal Bowersox channel Janis Joplin. Joplin’s version of “Me and Bobby McGee” hit the top of the charts after her death in 1970, even though it was the third recording of the song. The judges on American Idol certainly gave the Crystal Bowersox Bobby McGee rendition plenty of good reviews. The only judge that had anything bad to say was Ellen, saying she has yet to “feel a connection” with Crystal Bowersox.

The rest of last night’s American Idol performances

As good as Crystal Bowersox’s Bobby McGee was, there were 10 other performances on American Idol last night. Randy actually said that was terrible to Paige Miles last night, and the rest of the judges were just as harsh. 16 year old bundle of cuteness Aaron Kelly battled through tonsillitis, laryngitis, and a crush on Miley Cyrus to deliver a good enough to be safe version of “Don’t Want To Miss A Thing”. ”The Power of Love” was powerful for Big Mike, and even though it was a little corny, he will be safe until next week.All lovers of 1980’s music got a treat when Casey sang “The Power of Love”.The judges were also quite literally blown away by the signature screaming in Siobahn’s “Superstitious” singing. The rest of the performers? They have all made it clear they are trying just hard enough to get onto the American Idol Tour next summer, trying for a paycheck that will qualify them for installment loans for bad credit.

Miley Cyrus mentors the American Idol Top 11

The “official mentor” of Crystal Bowersox and the other American Idol top 11, Miley Cyrus, got a chance to sign Crystal’s guitar. While quite a few people questioned the choice of a 17-year old pop star to mentor the American Idol Top 11, it actually went very well. Big Mike gave Miley a big hug, and she offered tidbits about the music industry that kept the episode somewhat interesting.

Bowersox’s big plans for American Idol

It may seem somewhat presumptuous, but Crystal Bowersox knows that she is safe on American Idol until at least next week. Crystal exclaimed that she had “big plans for next week!” at the end of her judging last night. Given that next week’s theme for the American Idol Top 10 can be “Teen Idols,” the possibilities are nearly endless. FOX hasn’t said yet if “Teen Idols” will mean teen artists or artists teens love. To find out what big plans she has for next week, we will just have to tune in to watch Crystal Bowersox on American Idol.

Preparing a Vacation that could be Stress Free

Preparing Is a Life Need

Anything you do in life requires preparing, whether you plan in advance for a good education, a good job or any from the other things you ever wanted in life. Think ahead and plan in advance similarly, whenever you prepare to take a vacation. You’ll find that by doing so, you will be able to organize everything you need for your trip. Planning is the key to having a stress free trip. Use from the following tips, will leave you with more time to enjoy a stress free trip.

Create a list

When you think about taking a escape, the first thing you should do is make a number of lists. Prepare a folder that has the name of the escape on the label. The folder should only be used to keep all travel plans for this vacation. This should contain your flight itineraries, hotel accommodations, car rental guides and all related tourist information. Any list you make must include things to do, things to buy, or what to bring. You might want to visit people you know within the area, so don't forget for making a list and keep the information handy. You’ll get help in remaining organized by having all this information in one folder.

Plan Your Attire

Make certain to pack your attire appropriately to where you intend on going. Swim suits should be avoided for ski vacations and vice versa. Plan in advance the activities that you intend to take part in, and pick a suitable wardrobe. Any beach vacations planned will require appropriate beach wear. You’ll need to carry your own towels, if the place you have chosen to stay cannot provide them. You cannot do without warm clothing should you be looking forward to spending a while on the slopes skiing. At the very same time, you may also need to carry proper footwear to suit your activities. Make a note of all items that you intend carrying on a checklist. The objective is to make certain that you don't forget anything.

Children’s Needs

Kids have different necessities than adults have. Let the kids make their own list and pack their bags as well. Children will need assistance in selecting things they may need for air or road travel. Always make sure that you can keep them occupied during a journey. In all likelihood they’ll not feel the after effects in the journey due to this. Make sure they understand about the type of travel involved and prepare them for the journey.

Plan in advance Your Approach for the Escape

Many people forget to take into consideration their frame of mind when going on trip. You and your family are both supposed to be tranquil on the trip that you are about to leave on. Bear in mind your attitude also affects the family. Therefore, get ready to relax and let others relax as well. Give the family their due by sparing some quality time for them. Don’t let insignificant things come between you and the happiness of your family. You are on the right path to having a fantastic vacation. Do just that by putting everything else aside and having fun.

Benjamin Netanyahu to visit President Obama

Benjamin Netanyahu will be meeting with President Obama at the White House today. Image from Flickr.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Barack Obama at the White House this evening. The meeting is closed to reporters, but most reports indicate that the talks are most likely going to be focused on the recent Israeli announcements that an East Jerusalem settlement has been approved, pending the developer's secured loans. Some politicians are also hoping that the meeting between Netanyahu and Obama will include discussions of the diplomat representing Israel being kicked out of Britain.

Netanyahu and Obama to discuss peace talks

One of the major topics on the docket for the meeting between Netanyahu and Obama will be the restarting of indirect peace talks with Israel and Palestine. Over the last few decades, the United States has mediated several peace talks between Israel and Palestine, though tensions in the region remain high. Israel, through their Prime Minister Netanyahu, has recently announced plans to allow 1,600 new settler homes in East Jerusalem. The United States, through Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has condemned the plans, and tensions between Netanyahu and Obama have sense been very high.

Netanyahu takes a stand on Jerusalem

Jersulem has long been a disputed district in the Israel-Palestine conflict. In a speech to Israel's supporters in Washington DC given before he met with Obama, Netanyahu stated that "Jerusalem is not a settlement. It's our capital." He also very carefully outlined that while the relationship between the U.S. and Israel may be strained, any attempts to break off the relationship would not work. Netanyahu has advocated on multiple occasions that the easiest path to peace between Israel and Palestine would be an "economic path" - relying on commerce and money loans to make peace. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Benjamin Netanyahu to visit President Obama"

Pay Czar cuts executive pay once more at TARP companies

Pay Czar Kenneth Feinberg will once more slash and burn the salaries of TARP CEOs. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Obama "Pay Czar" Kenneth Feinberg wields a mighty money ax, and that ax is coming down once more on executive salaries at bailed out companies, says Reuters. The five firms under consideration – AIG, General Motors, GMAC, Chrysler and Chrysler Financial – are still depending upon government assistance to remain afloat. Since the Obama administration has found that previous crackdowns haven't sent talented workers "fleeing for the exits" as the companies feared, the Pay Czar has the power to make another cut. Overall for 2010, the Treasury cut cash pay 33 percent.

Pay Czar's office says 84 percent still with firms, despite pay cuts

In fact, Feinberg told the media that "There is a striking number of holdovers." So far, that's all the evidence the Treasury needs to justify striking this delicate balance and enable more money to come back to American taxpayers. The firms must be able to function, but taxpayers' overnight loans must also be repaid. If a firm received "exception assistance" from the $700 billion in TARP funds, that firm must make sacrifices to repay America's taxpayer base.

People don't like to hear about AIG execs receiving multi-million-dollar bonuses

Yet that's what happened, even after taxpayers had given up TARP monies to keep them afloat. Now that Pay Czar Feinberg is making wider cuts, the hope is that more Wall Street firms will follow the example. It could be the only way to begin restoring public confidence in a financial sector that openly played unnecessarily risky games with other people's money. Reuters reports that Bank of America and Citigroup have repaid all or some of the TARP money they took, but too many offenders are still on the hook. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Pay Czar cuts executive pay once more at TARP companies"

Buying a new auto made easy

Buying a car or auto buying can be an costly affair and some good research and proper calculation is required before choosing the vehicle you’ve always dreamt of.The looks of a vehicle are the aspects which normally appeal to people and in that, the excitement. They often neglect the performance aspects of the automobiles. However, the ideal vehicle would be the one that has a perfect balance of performance and appearance depending upon your needs and fuel budgets.

Your preferences

Buying a car will depend mostly on your requirements and needs. The type of vehicle you choose must completely suit your travel requirements.

For instance: In case you are single and have to travel across long distances for work frequently, purchasing a six seater vehicle wouldn't make any practical sense. You could instead look for a vehicle which gives you good mileage and fuel efficiency.

If you have a large family you cannot do with a mini cooper obviously. Hence the first thing you do is choose a vehicle that fulfills your preferences.

Power and fuel performance

Power and fuel efficiency is very important factors and should always be closely considered while purchasing a vehicle. Why I am mentioning them together is because a good vehicle will give you a perfect balance between power and mileage? Both these factors go hand in hand. If you need a vehicle that can handle tough terrain as well as carrying a large load, you have to make sure that it is fuel efficient so you’ll not be left stuck on a mountain range or the side of the road with an empty fuel tank.

Concept

With numerous developments in automobile technology auto buying has literally become a race for the newest technology. A new and proclaimed fuel technology will give you a great mileage with the best of power. Other recent technologies make your engine sound free, which is a necessity for long journeys. They also make your smoke emissions low, and hence you need not worry of emission norms. Therefore you must surely go for automobiles with new technologies instead of high power 60's vehicle.

Extras

You'll have to look at several more things in a vehicle other than looking at only the basic features. A good music system is one of them. You might think that you are able to even buy a music system separately, but actually it will cost you almost twice to purchase it separately than buying it pre-installed within the car. A good air conditioner will make your journey very comfortable. The good here means that it should use new technology and not eat a lot of fuel as well. The central locking security system might also come very handy to you during your everyday usage of your vehicle.

Price

The fact that it has been mentioned last by no means indicates that this aspect is not important. In fact, it is probably the most important thing that you'll have to bear in mind when auto buying. A calculated budget will allow you to choose the best available possibilities. More importantly the budget must be realistic as well.

Installment Loans Help Unemployed People Prepare for their Future

Ranges of Unemployment

Installment loans could possibly be a way out for lots of people struggling to survive. The recent financial crisis is claiming many victims and it's not just companies that are suffering. Honest hard working people are finding themselves out of work because in the state from the economy.

Lots of of these people really want to get back to work but are unable to find employment. As a result this leaves various families without enough money to survive because of a spouse's income is being stretched to the limit. Unemployment isn't just a problem in America but it's a global problem. Unemployment is increasing in every country all around the world.

Unanticipated costs

Applying for a loan is ideal if you lose your job or are suffering from unexpected expenses. There are plenty of reasons why you may need extra money that you haven't budgeted for. Anyone can experience unexpected expenses for numerous reasons. These causes can include urgent medical care as a result of a serious illness, or to repair your vehicle that has broken down. Personal loans are quick, easy and stress free way to borrow cash for any reason.

Businesses having difficulties

You only have to turn on the TV to realize what a mess our economy is in. Almost every single day we are told about companies closing and hundreds of jobs being lost. Numerous large companies have almost gone bankrupt but have been bailed out by the government.

Everyone is suffering as a result in the financial crisis with a lot of large companies cutting costs by getting rid of people. This has left various families relying only on one source of income. Installment loans could possibly be the answer that they are looking for and might make it possible for them to relax if it's not possible to survive on your partner's income.

Unemployment Benefits

The benefits that you are able to receive when you are unemployed will depend very much on the state that you live in. New York has recently granted unemployed people an extra 13 weeks of unemployment insurance so that they can continue to survive in these uncertain times. With unemployment set to increase people simply aren't spending any money which makes the whole situation worse. Your employment benefits might be a welcome assist but is probably not enough to give you anything you need.

It's worth finding out exactly what you can claim so that you are able to support your family the best you possibly can. Unemployment benefits aren’t a long term solution however and also you will need to make certain that you pick yourself up as quickly as possible. As long as your partner still has a job then you shouldn't have any problem to borrow cash. This cash could possibly be used to create your future by starting a business.

Improving by yourself

You may be tempted to spend all day sitting at home doing nothing and getting cash from unemployment benefits while your partner goes to work each day. This is no way to live because it's not only depressing but it's also not a very large income stream. It can also cause lots of arguments because your partner will feel under much additional pressure. A much better solution would be to get out there and look for a job, or to start your own business.

An installment loan could enable you to buy suits for interviews, put petrol as part of your car, or even allow you to build up a business from scratch.

Borrowing cash might be the last thing that you want to do but it could help to show you the way out of your tricky position. If your partner nevertheless has a job then you can easily borrow cash and get your life back on track, it might also put an end to lots of unnecessary arguments.

Small Businesses are Scrambling to manage the Estate Tax

Congress is in the midst of debates over the estate tax. In the mean time, smaller businesses are left to hope how the tax is manageable.

The small company tax

Smaller businesses are having a difficult time managing in today's economic climate. The recession was difficult on them and most are nevertheless searching for ways of returning to old ways of operations. The real estate tax debate is not making it easier to handle. Currently, this tax is caught up in the Senate. That makes things difficult for small businesses because they have no idea what is going to happen in future years. Studies are projecting that as much as eight times as lots of businesses could possibly be taxed next year with the estate issue. That elevates concerns for businesses and owners are wondering how they are going to cope.

The key elements from the tax

There are two things affecting the real estate tax. First, the limit on assets that are transferable to the next generation at tax-free status and second, the rate from the tax are both up for debate. In 2001, Congress increased the exemption from $675,000 to $3.5 million and decreased the tax rate from 55% to 45%. There is a loophole however that rescinds the tax for the coming year and causes it to revert ago to pre-2001 rates. That rate is set at $1 million in exemptions and a tax rate of 55%. In 2009, over 5,500 estates paid death taxes, according to Tax Policy Center in Washington. Of that number, about 10% might be taxed again this year if Congress doesn't make moves to change the tax laws in time. That could put an added stress on small businesses that are already suffering as a result of recession.

Strategies to handle the tax

If the law changes, business owners will be able to rest, but until that happens, the majority are taking pains to prepare for the huge cost. They are already strategizing ways to handle the issue. Some owners are taking out hefty life insurance policies. The goal is to bring enough money into the company after the owner passes away so how the remaining owners won't have to sell the company to afford the estate taxes. Another strategy is for business owners to transfer some assets to their children. There is a gift tax that has a $1 million exclusion and that means married couples can hand down $2 million to their children tax-free. Anything over $1 million per person has a gift-tax rate of 35%. Though that sounds high, it's nevertheless considerably lower than facing the estate tax.

Finally, some business owners are establishing trusts that let them pass tax-free money to heirs. This would allow business owners to deposit assets to the trust and then pay earlier the owner for a certain number of years. The assets would earn interest and eventually pass tax-free down to children named on the trust. The problem with the strategies though is that they apply to companies with millions of dollars in assets to move around. Most smaller businesses don't qualify for the possibilities above and are left hanging on what Congress is going to do.

Managing the estate tax

Handling the estate tax is proving to be difficult. Small company owners see it as a threat to render their businesses bankrupt if they die. Though there are some ways to handle the issue, it still is causing much concern within the business world. Everyone is hanging on Congress, waiting to see what it will do to help business owners, or hinder them.

Five Common Financial Mistakes

Most people make financial mistakes from time to time. This is particularly true for young adults who are still learning financial discipline. While a cash advance can help a person out of a bind, learning lessons to avoid costly mistakes in the future should be everyone's goal, especially when targeting debt recovery. As people mature in wisdom and knowledge, fewer mistakes should occur, and knowing how to identify some of the most common mistakes can assist in helping to avoid them.

Not Creating a Budget

Besides planning to pay a few basic bills, a lot of people who struggle with debt do so because they don't carefully plan their spending. Instead of creating a written itemization of how every dime of their income will be spent or saved, some people simply wing it. While a cash advance can help people out in a bind, everyone should create a personal budget in order to avoid creating debt.

Failing to Pay Yourself First

In crafting a personal budget, a person must remember to pay herself a predetermined amount of money out of each paycheck. To not do so creates a level of frustration of working without reward. It is not surprising that people who neglect paying themselves a percentage of their income end up ditching a personal budget not long after its creation due to a lack of personal satisfaction.

Not Having a Rainy Day Savings

Similar to paying one's self is having a rainy day savings set aside. People who neglect to designate a percentage of their earnings to a savings account find themselves in a bind when an unforeseen expense or emergency arises. Although a loan till payday is available for these times of need, a rainy day savings account specifically designated for unexpected circumstances adds to a person's feelings of comfort and security, not to mention such a savings protects people from falling too far into debt when these circumstances occur. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Five Common Financial Mistakes"

Unsecured Loans and the 2009 Economy

Looking at the record-high unemployment rate, high credit company fees and lowered home values, exactly how were consumers paying down their unsecured loans last year? New studies are showing that they weren't. Though the repercussion of defaulting is a lowered credit score and credit strain in the future, many consumers were just too stretched to manage cr! edit wisely. The numbers being compiled by the Federal Reserve show that there was a huge drop in credit card debt throughout 2009. A knee-jerk assessment may be to look at that as good news, but further inspection shows that it isn't. The truth about the lowered amount of debt is that the bulk comes from banks that were forced to write off loans consumers failed to pay. Typically, once a balance is 180-or more days due, it is considered a write-off.

Defaulting loans in 2009 - the huge write-off amount

In 2009, banks wrote off over $83 billion in credit card debt. That is a record-high number, and it shows how much strain consumers were under as a result of the recession. Since that makes up for the bulk of the decline in credit lending totals, is proves that lenders are going to move cautiously into the future. The Federal Reserve's reports on outstanding loans reveal larger problems for future credit lenders. They are going to face a consistent lowered priority if the economy falters again. People become focused on survival and paying off mortgages, cars and monthly expense, rather than paying down debt. More and more consumers are willing to ignore debt and risk their credit scores in turn, in lieu of their property. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Unsecured Loans and the 2009 Economy"

How to conserve

What to save for

Many people have no idea why they save. Many people have trouble seeing the big picture about the money they are saving. Saving cash is hard whenever you have no idea what to conserve for. You’ll learn how to conserve your money.

My first tip

Rather than saving your money, you should be investing it. The interest rate on savings accounts is so low that you will actually lose money over time with cash depreciation. Because money's worth goes down over the years, it is important to get a good interest rate. Even if you were to have a small interest rate such as six percent, you would be helped a lot.

My second suggestion

You have to conserve for yourself first. You are told you have to secure yourself before others on airplanes. You become useless if you aren't safe first. Saving cash is the same. It is hard to help someone else whenever you aren't secure yourself. You might start with an emergency fund that can last a couple of weeks. After that, you are able to try to conserve more. Your goal will be to have six months of savings in case of an emergency. You probably should start your retirement fund after that. You need to secure your future along with your children's futures. Once you have those funds going or completed, then work towards your children's college funds. It is much better to get a high return when saving money for your child's schooling. If you don't have a very high interest rate, then it can be impossible for the cash to grow for your children.

My third suggestion

Have your children be a part of this. Your kids will learn good savings habits by contributing their own cash as well. Some parents make their children conserve fifty percent of their paychecks for savings. Easily will they learn to be disciplined. I would suggest having your children learn good work ethic and learn how to conserve themselves. Kids need to learn how to conserve their own cash for what they want to do with friends. Your children will appreciate the saving you taught them.

Tip number four

If you can't be patient and wait for your money to grow then saving isn't for you. Investment account usually only increase your cash when left in them for thirty or forty years. This process is the way you should plan in advance for retirement. This will be great for you if you can just be patient.

Hardships may affect cash today, but they can be overcome

There are ways to overcome financial hardships, no matter the situation.

Hardships can affect consumer's cash today. The recession was hard on consumers and many had to drastically change their ways of life to manage. On top of the financial situation, some consumers suffered other hardships to make matters even worse. For anyone who had difficulties personally and financially, it was a challenge.

For example, Michelle Plumbley, of New Castle, New Jersey, is a homeowner with three children. Four months ago, her husband died of cancer and she was notified that she would no longer be receiving the $2,100 in Social Security benefits to live. Her credit card debt is $18, 000 and comes along with a hefty interest rate. She is debating options and weighing pros and cons for her future.

The solution for a homemaker after tragedy

Plumbley has some options:

• She can contact a debt consolidator and pay $285 a month for 4 years
• She can borrow on her retirement to pay off her debt
• She can sell her home, which she owns in-full, and pay off all debts
• She can downsize to a smaller home, and use the left over money to pay debt

Although there are many options, each one comes with an interesting set of after-effects. For example, she could sell her home and buy a new one, but the leftover funds may just cover her credit card payoff. In addition, the market isn't at its best position right now to start selling a property, so it may be on the market for a while before the solution comes to fruition. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Hardships may affect cash today, but they can be overcome"

Jobs bill may get workers back to work

If you're in a hurry to get back to work, the new jobs bill may help

President Obama has signed new legislation intended to create jobs by providing tax breaks for businesses and funding for infrastructure programs. The $17.6 billion package is a slimmed down version of the $85 billion bipartisan proposal drafted last month by the Senate Finance Committee.  Plenty of unemployed workers across the nation are hoping the bill will get them back to work and eventually bring some debt relief.

Highlights of the jobs bill

The new legislation will:

• Provide employers with Social Security payroll-tax exemptions for new hires who were unemployed for at least 60 days
• Provide employers with tax credits for new employees who are retained for at least one year
• Provide tax breaks for businesses that make equipment purchases and other capital expenditures
• Fund highway and transit programs through 2010
• Expand the Build America Bonds program, which helps fund state and municipal construction projects

What job-bill critics say

With job losses continuing to mount and the unemployment rate still hovering at 9.7 percent, many lawmakers, economists and business leaders consider the bill to be small and ineffective. Some contend that the credit will prompt the hiring of about 300,000 workers, but others say companies won't hire regardless of tax incentives unless the demand for products and services increases. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Jobs bill may get workers back to work"

Tiger Woods return slated for The Masters

"He's baaack!" Tiger Woods has announced he could be a part in the Masters Golf Tournament 2010, a privilege he holds as a former Augusta National champion. It was always a matter of time before he would return. The Masters controls the press with an iron first, so TMZ might as well not waste any short term loans to fly anyone over there. They’ll have to become content to wait for when Woods feels up to talking. For now, enjoy Tiger Woods' return.

What would the Masters amount to without him?

Not much, that's what. You would have to crazy or high to ignore the skill from the following players:

• Steve Stricker
• Camilo Villegas
• Ernie Els
• Dustin Johnson
• Matt Kuchar
• Ben Crane

… or even the always dangerous Padraig Harrington. All of these guys can play the game of golf at the highest level and have the top FedEx Cup point totals. Harrington is stalking a run at the top. (He went from 106th to 37th in one week.) Sometimes, though, seems like the PGA is going the way of NASCAR. Winston Cup, FedEx Cup? Coincidence? Sponsorships are necessary, of course, but let us leave out Copenhagen and advertisements for "Larry the Cable Guy" DVDs, please. This Tiger Woods business is dirty enough.

Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren are circus enough, without the bread to go with it

You did notice that Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren were spotted in public together … again. TMZ is already plugging their upcoming TV spread of pics in the two. If you only care about his golfing, The Masters Golf Tournament 2010 could be streaming online. The Master online might be one’s best bet at sticking towards the golf. You might not want to miss Tiger Woods’ return.

Tiger insists the Masters Tournament 2010 is perfect

"The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect," said Tiger Woods in a statement to the media. "After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta. The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I have to be, even though it's been a when since I last played."

This could be his first tournament since the auto crash

Whatever took place, Tiger wants to move on. He isn't waiting for automobile loans for making things better, though. He’s content to let his clubs do the talking. But will the normally well-behaved Augusta crowd be happy to see him?

"I hope they boo him off the course," Alice Kohn of Miami said last week. "He should be booed for the exact same amount of time he spent cheating on his wife. I used to love Tiger, but now I can't stand him. I still love golf. I still watch it on TV. But I won't be happy to see Tiger on the golf course. Not anymore."

Is Tiger ready to roar?

Golfers and analysts know their business. Outspoken commentator Johnny Miller says Woods will "come back strong," a testament to both Wood's heart of a champion on the links and his previous performance after layoffs in play. Tiger is the ultimate golf perfectionist; if he isn't mentally focused on the Tiger Woods return, he won't play.

Players "The Big Easy" Ernie Els hit the nail on the head when he spoke of this master of the Masters (he's won it four times). Els knows Woods "will be embraced by the players" upon his re-emergence. According to USA Today, money talks. Since Tiger Woods debuted on the PGA Tour, total prize funds have gone from $ 65.95 million in 1996 to $ 279.8 million for this season. The Masters golf tournament 2010 is not the biggest cash prize, but it does have one of the most prestige. Tiger Woods draws crowds and advertisers. He is the engine that made the PGA Tour great.

Unemployment and True Economic Recovery

Experts believe the recession is over, however the question of when businesses start hiring again is still unknown.

Projections on job creation

Many Americans are looking towards the day when jobs are plentiful. Ever since the beginning of the recession employers were required to drastically cut their workforce to chop down expenses. Citizens were laid off, hours were cut and salaries were cut. Nevertheless , there are signs the economy is on the rise, job creation still hasn't shown steady indications of improving and that’s concerning legislators.

Economists for the White House are predicting that in spring of 2010 businesses will commence creating permanent careers. President Obama is making job creation a main concern on his list of things to do and trying to encourage employers to start by hiring. There’s a myriad of tax breaks coming to businesses that are aggressive with hiring and job creation for the coming 2010 tax year.

The public’s perspective

The President and White House economists know that taxpayers are most concerned with the career market. Specially those who were hurt by layoffs and downsizing are searching for hefty signs of improvement. Legislators understand that this is a prime concern and it needs to be a priority for them with the 2010 congressional elections coming up. The first signs of good news will be the better-than projected employment record for November of 2009. For the first time in months the jobless rate declined. Lawrence Summers, director of White House National Economic Council said, "I believe that, as do most professional forecasters, by spring, employment growth will start to be turning positive."

November was a good month for analysts who are closely watching jobs. Not only did the jobless rate reduce, but the pace of job losses slowed down also. It showed a major improvement from numbers studied earlier in the year.

Before Americans rejoice

Americans are cautioned, nevertheless, to not read the immediate signs as indicators that change can happen quickly. The fact is that, most economists are projecting tangible improvements to be visible no sooner than mid-2010. Christina Romer, chairwoman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, said, "There could be job increases as soon as the first quarter of 2010, but even if payrolls begin to grow, the unemployment rate could go up and down again, before it stabilizes." She added, "The numbers certainly will bounce around. I would anticipate some bumps in the road as we go ahead."

President Obama's call to banks

There’s a problem for the President regarding jobs. Democrats are driving hard for Congress to back an aggressive job-creation strategy that would improve infrastructure spending and send more assistance to cities and states. Summers said, "For next year or two, priority number one-certainly this year-priority number one has to be job creation." President Obama met with top executives from 12 US banks to go over regulatory reform proposals and how to boost lending to small business owners. His objective would be to empower businesses with funding so they in turn, can begin to create permanent full-time job opportunities. The President said, "(Banks) have obligations to the country to restart lending after gaining from the government's $700 billion bailout of the financial industry."

The future of employment

No one knows how quickly businesses will start hiring, or if the tax initiatives will work. Although most analysts believe the recession has ended, there is still a question of how healthy small businesses are and if they can handle the strain of new employees yet. Despite the difficulties, they may have to create solutions. Romer added, "What the President has always said, I firmly believe: you are not recovered until all those people that want to work are back to work."

7 Additional Places You Can Cut Your Budget

When you are looking to save cash, cutting corners can be really tough. Listed below are seven simple ways to trim the fat from your budget.

It may be very tough to find extra places to cut costs. What else can you cut when it feels as if you have cut out everything? Once you’ve reduced everything you can think of, try these ways to spend even less daily.

Experiment With Vegetarianism

Remove meat from your diet two or three days weekly. At $3 to $8 a pound, even inexpensive cuts of meat can mount up. By eating vegetarian every now and then, you will save a surprising amount of money. Beyond that, you can open yourself up to interesting new cuisine. If you take meat off the plate, you may make grains, vegetables, and even fruits the centerpiece.

Shop accompanied by a Partner

You usually have an option of shopping at a discount club or bulk purchasing store. However, because their items are in bulk, these stores stock up storage space quickly. Instead, look for a friend that is willing to split the membership fee with you – and shop together. Break up bulk item packs and split the price. By splitting with friends, it can save you money without having to store five year’s worth of sponges.

Less money to Sweat

Instead of paying a gym to work out, try out a nearby community college. Register for a one-credit gym class, then work out at the school fitness center. This can save you hundreds of dollars a year or more – and could help you get into the habit of working out.

Provide Some Spice

At most large grocery stores, spices are very expensive. Rather than spending nearly $10 for a single ounce of spices, try to shop at an ethnic food store. You can usually buy seasonings in large quantity packages, and for less than they come at standard food markets. If you cannot find ethnic grocery stores, try checking spice stores on the internet. This is yet another place you can split costs with friends.

Wear It Secondhand First

You will get clothes that are still very fashionable at second-hand or consignment stores, even if you wear an unusual size. Try shopping different areas of town, or check out the local stores when you are traveling. Instead of just purchasing clothes, you can also sell clothes that don’t fit or that you will no longer wear.

Go The Way Of The Union

Banks can charge you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a year in fees. Banks are accountable to their stockholders, so they will always be most interested in their bottom line. Instead, check out credit unions. Operating as member-owned not for profit businesses, credit unions can be a good alternative. You can get a better rate on loans and credit cards if you bank at a credit union.

The Rush – Feel It

Most performances or live theaters offer last-minute “rush” tickets. The night of a show, you possibly can often get tickets for half or less of their original price. While sometimes you will not get tickets, costly shows can be attended for much less.

Rielle Hunter GQ photos | Top 10 quotes from GQ article

It's John Edwards' world. Rielle Hunter and her GQ photos are just living in it.

Rielle Hunter GQ photos have people hot under the collar, including disgraced politician John Edwards. But have you actually read the interview Rielle Hunter gave to go along with the somewhat racy photo spread? Here are the top 10 moments from the interview, for those of you short of time and interest in serious journalism. Afterward, you may feel like you need a bath, and a payday cash loan can get you an all-natural scrubbing loofa today!

Top 10 Rielle Hunter GQ photos interview moments

See the Rielle Hunter GQ photos for yourself and draw your own conclusions. Here are Rielle Hunter's words in close view, courtesy of the Huffington Post.

1. "I said, 'I can't believe that was John Edwards; he's so hot. He's really got it going on. He's got something unusual about him…" – Ah yes, the mystery that draws women like moths to the flame. What was it that Rielle Hunter found unusual? Was it Edwards' boyish charm, his strong chin or the fires of exploitation burning behind his eyes? There's nothing unusual about being attracted to power; it's the most basic human equation.
2. "I used to make a joke that I could have helped save the world, but I had to sleep with him. You know? It was kind of like that." – Why let a man still in search of himself stop you, Rielle?
3. "I had this thing in my head like a lot of women, where you want your man to stand up on a cliff and scream, 'I LOVE HER.' You know, the knight in shining armor. And that wasn't what was going on." – You simply can't have your cake and eat it, too, Ms. Hunter. As we all know, politicians do all they can to keep these things secret. John Edwards is no exception. South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford came closest to being a "knight in shining armor" in the parlance of recent political sex scandal, but then again a knight doesn't use taxpayer money to fund his jaunts.
4. 4. "I am not engaged." – Oh good. Now Barney and Kermit have a shot. Just watch out for Ms. Piggy if you value your life.
5. 5. "Had I spoken, I would have emasculated him. … It is not my desire to teach my daughter that when Mommy's upset with Daddy, you take matters into your own hands and fix Daddy's mistakes." – Public emasculation would have been inappropriate. But you're glossing over the fact that the two of you made a decision to pursue a relationship. Rielle Hunter and John Edwards are equally responsible. What you're teaching your children is that it's OK to infringe upon others' relationships.
6. "I'm not a predator, I'm not a gold digger, I'm not the stalker. I didn't have any power in that way in our relationship. He held all the power." – John Edwards may have had more power, but you both had enough power over yourselves to choose. Love and lust are powerful forces, but it is completely false that they prevent adults from making adult decisions. Unless you aren't adults…
7. "He could not go to his wife and say, 'We have an issue.' Because he would be pummeled. So he had a huge fear. … The wrath of Elizabeth is a mighty wrath." – Elizabeth Edwards has had to deal with the scourge of cancer – an adult would have faced up to responsibility. John Edwards is clearly not an adult. If you think it's OK that he ducked his wife, then you have some growing to do as well, Rielle.
8. "I say she was in denial. … Their relationship has been dysfunctional and toxic and awful for many, many years." – This comes from Rielle Hunter's suggestion that a relationship has to already be broken before an affair can occur. Elizabeth Edwards may have internalized her grief, but I don't know her mind. If we learn anything from this without grabbing a no fax cash advance to go to therapy, we should learn that we must face our fears and not bottle them up.
9. "I don't believe he was a politician. … His ego and ambition drove him to that field. I believe he's more aligned with being a humanitarian. That suits his true nature. Just like I wasn't a mistress. You know, I'm not a mistress, but I played the role?" – Because John Edwards is so giving of himself and his genes, right? And you're play-acting too! Badly conceived and poorly executed, Ms. Hunter.
10. "So the home was wrecked already. I was not the Home Wrecker." – Tell it to "The View," tell it to Larry King, tell it to yourself in the mirror. Rielle Hunter – GQ photos and all – you were not solely responsible for this messy marmalade. You did butter the biscuits, however. Now that your picnic with John is over, where will you go? Go save the world like you said you wanted to. If you pose for pictures, people will eat that slop. If you make a difference, people will take you seriously.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonythemisfit/ / CC BY 2.0) ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Rielle Hunter GQ photos | Top 10 quotes from GQ article"