Benjamin: July 2009

Friday, July 31, 2009

Handerpants and Other Ridiculous Things to Spend Money On

Handerpants? HANDERPANTS?!

Yes, today has been a day of learning about “exciting” new products. I regularly advocate on this blog that people don’t use their payday loans for trivial expenses, and I am dedicating this blog post to pointing out things that no one needs, ever.

Why am I writing about handerpants, the magical underwear for your hands, and other things that you should not waste your money on? Well, because I think it’s funny. I can’t even believe that handerpants are real.

Watch the handerpants video

Of course, handerpants aren’t meant to be the next life-changing product. They are made by a novelty company, Archie McPhee & Co, which also sells candy floss, flavored mints and bacon soap. UTalk writes:

This infomercial is almost too good to be true. The ad lists all hands from all walks of life that will actually get use of out this new fashion accessory such as architects, night bloggers, old people, gastroenterologists, construction workers, chefs, Twitterers, Ninja's with delicate hands and magicians!

Don’t worry, I won’t leave you hanging. You can watch the Handerpants commercial right here:

The punch line, for me, is that these things cost $12, and people actually do buy them. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Handerpants and Other Ridiculous Things to Spend Money On"

I love cotton candy

I really wish I had some right now. I love how you put it in your mouth just to have all of the sugar melt so quickly. It is the best thing ever. I love all the different flavors that they have. They used to have commercials for that cotton candy maker once, but I never got the chance to buy one. I wish that I had. I know it was for kids but even adults sometimes want to have cotton candy too. I always have to buy a whole bunch whenever I go to fairs or anywhere else they sell cotton candy in the little booths. I can't wait till the next time I get to buy some more cotton candy to rot my teeth with.

Omer Bhatti says he's not Michael Jackson's love child

Joe Jackson says he is

Well it looks like Joe Jackson’s lifelong business of exploiting his children for financial gain is not over, even in Michael’s death. Despite the fact that Hollywood Gossip reported this week that Omer Bhatti said he was only Michael Jackson’s honorary son, not his biological son, Joe Jackson said during an interview with News One that the 25-year-old Norwegian man is Michael Jackson’s son.

I’m not sure what to believe anymore. Last week reports made it sound like Omer Bhatti was sending his DNA in for testing. However, according to the Hollywood gossip article, Omer Bhatti told a close friend: “Michael Jackson is not my father. He and I were just very, very close. He was my best friend.”

The business of being Joe Jackson

Thanks to his kids, Joe Jackson never needed a cash until payday loan. Short-term loans weren’t around before the Jackson Five hit the stage. Ever since the days of “I Want You Back” and “Whose Loving You?” Joe Jackson has been able to live comfortably off of his offspring’s talent.

It feels sad and cynical to say that Joe Jackson is just making things up in order to stay in the spotlight. It feels even more sad and more cynical to say that Joe Jackson views his son’s death as a moneymaking opportunity. However, as cynical and sad as it may be, coming from a guy who used to physically punish his children for not performing well during rehearsals, it is not hard to believe.

Who is Omer Bhatti anyway?

In case you haven’t heard this story, shortly after Michael Jackson’s memorial service in Los Angeles, rumors began circulating that a young man who sat in the front row between Rebbie Jackson and Blanket was Michael Jackson’s “secret son.”

The story went that Michael Jackson had a one-night stand with Norwegian woman in 1984. Many people speculated that Omer Bhatti resulted from that. Rumors that Omer Bhatti was Michael Jackson’s son had been circulating for quite some time. After all, Omer Bhatti and his parents had lived with the pop star at Neverland Ranch for a few years.

Omer Bhatti’s parents worked for Michael Jackson. His mother was a nanny in his father a chauffeur. Omer now says he and Michael Jackson were best friends. Some news organizations reported that Michael Jackson called himself Omer’s father, but just as I suspected he meant it in an honorary sense, not a biological sense, at least according to Omer Bhatti.

How did this all begin?

The first of official record of Omer Bhatti and Michael Jackson meeting was in 1996. Michael Jackson met Omer Bhatti in a hotel room in Tunisia. At that time, as far as everyone knew, Omer was simply a fan and a Michael Jackson impersonator. He was a good impersonator, in fact, leading Joe Jackson to say this, according to the Los Angeles Times:

“He looks like a Jackson, acts like a Jackson, can dance like a Jackson."

It’s been reported that Omer was at Neverland ranch during a police raid that ensued after Michael Jackson was charged with child molestation. Omer and his parents moved into Neverland ranch in 1997.

How will this end?

After poring over several articles that have come out this week, I’m still not sure whether there will be an actual DNA test. Quotations taken from Jermaine Jackson when the rumors began after the memorial service indicate that he was planning to find out for sure whether Omer Bhatti is really Michael Jackson’s son.

Personally, I do not think this issue will be laid to rest until there is evidence one way or the other. Because of that, I hope that Omer Bhatti does take a DNA test, just so we can have conclusive evidence stating who his father is. Reading speculation after speculation drives me crazy, especially when there is such a simple solution that will bring it to an end.

Cash For Clunkers Suspended?

The money may have run out - ALREADY!

No more CARS? (Photo: unclesamsauntie.com)

America needs strong, decisive action from its government that will restore consumer faith in the economy. One of the vehicles President Obama had planned to use to help those of us who are hamstrung by the high cost of gasoline was the Cash For Clunkers program, also known as CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System). With it, people would be able to trade in their older gas guzzlers for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles. It would save consumers money and help the environment.

But after about a week, it appears that Cash For Clunkers will be suspended. This is not inspiring news, Mr. Obama. May I please be allowed to have my cash advances and payday loans now? I’ll need that money to make a down payment on a car Cash For Clunkers was supposed to help me afford!

Cash for Clunkers suspended?

Elisabeth Leamy and Mike Callahan report for ABC News that Congress is currently scurrying about like nervous field mice, looking for a way to funnel more money into Cash For Clunkers, which has proven to be more popular than the government had anticipated. The $1 billion set aside for CARS may not be enough.

Really? You didn’t think people would like the program? You didn’t think that people who truly afford these new high mpg vehicles would still overextend themselves with fat monthly payments? It’s what Americans do. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Cash For Clunkers Suspended?"

Cash for clunkers program may be running on empty

The White House says it’s reviewing options about keeping the “cash for clunkers” program going. Auto dealers already may have surpassed the 250,000 vehicle sales funded by the $1 billion program. The White House says any valid deals already made will be honored.

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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Conflict in the movie Newsies

The main conflict in the movie Newsies first arises when Pulitzer and his rich friends decide to raise the price of the newspaper—not the price the customers pay, but the price that the newsies pay. The newsies weren't too happy about this. They turned to their "leader", Jack Kelly, to see what he thinks they should do. David, Jack's new friend and selling partner, casually remarks that they should go on strike, and somehow that ends up what they decide to do. They talk to a bunch of other newsies all around New York and persuade them to join the strike. They also meet Brian Denton, and he helps them and writes articles about the newsie strike for The Sun.

All these things help them somewhat, but what really does it for them is when they reach out to all the sweatshop kids and poor people. One night, they secretly use one of Pulitzer's old printing presses to print a one-page article about not having any rights and how they should have rights. It probably also told about the newsie strike and why they decided to go on strike in the first place. As the sun rises, they finish and then they deliver the paper to all the working kids and the poor people.

This added a whole lot of people to their cause. There was no way Pulitzer could win this fight now. The square and the streets beyond were so filled with shouting people that it was almost deafening. Jack goes up to Pulitzer's office and faces him, along with David. After a little talk, Pulitzer finally gives in and the newspaper prices are put back to normal. The newsies had finally won the battle for their rights.

Bailed-Out Banks Gave More Than $30B In Bonuses

Citigroup Inc., which received $45 billion in government bailout money, gave employees $5.33 billion in bonuses for 2008, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said. The bank gave 738 of its employees bonuses of at least $1 million each. Bank of America Corp., which also received $45 billion, paid $3.3 billion in bonuses.

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Omer Bhatti | Michael Jackson Paternity Test is not Complete

Don’t believe everything you read

Omer Bhatti

Many people now believe that Omer Bhatti is Michael Jackson’s secret love child. They believe this because Joe Jackson said so. Me, I am waiting for the DNA test results. Until those are in, I am not going to jump to any conclusions. Various media are reporting “Joe Jackson confirms Omer Bhatti is Michael Jackson’s son.”

Confirms? He can’t confirm that. He can’t verify Omer Bhatti’s father any more than I can guarantee a payday loan in the UK will be repaid on time. However, many people can’t see any reason why Joe Jackson would come out and say that if he didn’t know it was true. Here’s a rundown on what Joe is telling the media about Omer Bhatti:

From the L.A. Times:

In an interview posted on NewsOne.com, Joe Jackson talks about Omer Bhatti and told the reporter that he knew Michael had another child.

“Yes, I knew he had another son, yes I did,” Jackson said in the video.

He also discussed Bhatti’s dancing abilities and his resemblance to the Jackson clan. “He looks like a Jackson, acts like a Jackson, can dance like a Jackson,” he said.

A son of a different kind

So, Michael Jackson himself apparently has said that Omer Bhatti was his son. Now Joe Jackson is saying it. But we all know that Michael Jackson had a bit of a different way of looking at the world and talking about it than the rest of us. For instance, when he said in a documentary that he thought the best thing you could do was share your bed with a child, many people took that as an admittance that he was guilty of child molestation. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Omer Bhatti | Michael Jackson Paternity Test is not Complete"

Jack Wilson

Jack Wilson will be trading in whatever weather they get in Pittsburgh, and trading it for rain. Jack Wilson, along with Ian Snell, have been traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Seattle Mariners. Wilson ironically had lambasted the Pirates for their habit of trading notable players, and now has had the same done to him. The short stop has been invaluable on defense, and dangerous on offense, leading the National League in triples hit in 2004, and in double plays by short stops in all MLB. It’s a good move for Seattle, who will likely put Jack Wilson to good use, as a great fielder and hitter is a player worth giving a cash advance for.

Natalie Smith

Natalie Smith is becoming a name on the gossip scene –she may be the pin in the grenade that killed Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson as a couple. Natalie Smith and Romo have been close, intimate friends – that’s all that’s been said – and they were talking a lot prior to the dumping of the singer the day before her 29th birthday. The 22 year old Smith is the daughter of the Athletic Director of Romo’s alma mater, Eastern Illinois University. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has also reportedly banned Simpson from his community (gated), and, since he plays for Dallas, sold his soul to the devil. This means paparazzi will give short term loans to get Natalie Smith pictures.

Anderson Cooper, Bachelorette Bring Humor to 'Regis and Kelly'

Bachelorette makes Anderson Cooper queasy

Anderson Cooper is the man.

As if “Regis and Kelly” didn’t get enough attention as it is, throw in Anderson Cooper and a dash of snark, and you’ve got yourself a viral video.

Anderson Cooper filled in for Regis yesterday when The Bachelorette herself came on the show. The ensuing interview was pretty entertaining. At one point Anderson Cooper said to the Bachelorette: “I think I just threw up in my mouth.” Hilarious!

‘Bachelorette’ is a cash cow

In my opinion, “The Bachelorette” and all shows of its ilk are nothing but moneymaking schemes. I guarantee you ABC doesn’t care a lick about whether Jillian and Ed live happily ever after. All of those “finding the one” shows are nothing but cash advances to the networks. Or maybe I am projecting my own feelings there.

Anyway, I commend Anderson Cooper for calling out the classlessness that “The Bachelorette” represents. He asked her how many men she slept with on the show. The “Regis and Kelly” studio audience was aghast.

Oh, now all of a sudden it’s none of our business?

After Anderson Cooper asked Bachelorette “How many did you actually sleep with?” the audience broke into “shocked” noises followed by cheers. If you watch the YouTube version, you can see Anderson Cooper mocking the Bachelorette and the audience, saying “Oh! I’m shocked!” ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Anderson Cooper, Bachelorette Bring Humor to 'Regis and Kelly'"

How to Determine Whether an Alternative is Good Enough

I often find myself wanting to pay less for a purchase. Be it a gadget, clothes or my wedding, I always spend time looking for a bargain after I figured out the average costs. Most of the time, I end up looking for alternatives because so many products have set pricing. My theory is that while it’s not exactly the same thing, it’s usually good enough for every day (my) use.

When I bought my camera, I looked for a lower end model because the newest one was just too expensive. And when I bought my laptop, I bought the 15 inch model even though the 17 inch looked more attractive.

Sometimes though, I would deviate from this behavior. My bed for example, is the one that I found the most comfortable. My office chair is the same way, and so was my car, although I must admit that I quickly eliminated every vehicle that wasn’t affordable from the get go.

How I Determine Whether an Alternative Will Suffice

It has always been a subconscious decision to see whether I wanted an alternative or not, but now that I think about it, there’s seems to be a pattern to this whole process. In order for an alternative to suffice, it must pass the following tests:

Replaceable Test – I must feel that the alternative makes me just as happy (or be just as functional) after a week of purchase. For example, I would be just as happy with a cheaper TV model in seven days (or two months for that matter), even though the more expensive TV looks much better in a side-by-side comparison at the store. On the other hand, sleeping in a less comfortable bed would not pass the same test.
No Regrets – If I keep thinking about the original product, then the alternative is not good enough. An example for me would be golf clubs. I would be thinking about the ones I originally wanted every time I go play.
Durability – The alternative must last just as long. For example, I usually don’t skim on quality of the product just to save a few bucks. If it breaks a year when the original last two, I won’t buy the alternative.
Longevity – The longer and the more often I use the product, the more I’m prone to paying more for it. It’s also interesting to note that the dollar amount has little effect on this. For example, I tend to spend more than I otherwise would for a car because I drive every day and the vehicle last for years. Going out to eat on the other hand is an activity that lasts one, maybe two hours. If I go out, I wouldn’t spend much.

A Little More About Alternatives

You may notice that none of the usual “comparison” points are listed. It’s not there because whether the product is the same or not isn’t my primary concern. When I make a purchase, it’s filling a need. Sometimes, it’s the need to get from point A to point B (hence, my first car). Other times, it’s the need to plug the hole of desire for a new gadget in my life (perhaps a new iPhone would do). I almost never try to compare the alternative to the original product, because what’s more important is whether the alternative will fit my original need.

The Answer is Really a Personal Choice

Many of you may not agree with the choices I made in the examples, and that’s okay. What’s important to me is very different than what’s important to you, your neighbor or your colleague. It’s perfectly normal.

Buying is a very personal choice, so don’t let others get to you when you buy an alternative, and ignore the naysayer when they say that you overpaid for the original.

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It has been really hot here lately

I can’t make up my mind whether I would prefer to be really hot or really cold. When it’s really hot, people tend to flock to lakes and pools, and that is a lot of fun. But when it’s really cold, it’s nice to cuddle up with a blanket or with someone that you love and enjoy a warm fire and some hot chocolate. There are a lot of different activities you can do too, depending on what the weather is like. If it’s hot, you can always go out and play sports and have picnics, as long as you make sure to protect yourself from the sun and drink a lot of water. When it’s cold and snowy, you can do crafts inside or you can go sledding. The best weather, I think, is when it’s not too hot and not too cold.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

When you wear socks, your socks wear down

Eventually, you start getting little holes in the bottoms, usually where the balls of your feet are. These little holes grow over time as you continue to wear the socks. If you don’t wear them anymore, the holes won’t grow. Once the holes are big enough to start bothering you, like when you start developing blisters because your foot is rubbing against the fabric of your shoe, you know it is time to get new socks. New socks provide a nice cushion between your foot and shoe to prevent blistering. The feeling of new socks is a good feeling.

Robin Quivers' bathing suit

It’s anyone’s guess as to why people are looking for pictures of Robin Quivers’ bathing suit. The idea of Robin Quivers’ bathing suit photos is a bit odd, considering that Robin Quivers is almost 60 years of age. (She will turn 57 this year.) However, some women have been able to become physically fit and maintain a very attractive image at almost 6 decades of age. Robin Quivers, for the low and uninitiated is on the Howard Stern show, and has been the quintessential shock jock sidekick for decades. She was reportedly photographed in a bikini in Miami Beach, but the pictures haven’t surfaced, and some would give payday loans to see pictures of Robin Quivers’ bathing suit.

Gender Pay Gap "Not Closing," Says U.K. Study

Be a mom, a nurse, a bricklayer or an astronaut

Is she climbing up or down? (Photo: witanjardine.co.uk)

In case you missed it, President Obama signed legislation into law earlier this year that mandated equal pay for equal work between men and women. This was a landmark in gender politics in the workplace for Americans, and it was a long time in coming. However, when it comes to the actual careers men end of choosing vs. what women choose on average, there is still a large gender pay gap. This can lead to an occasional need for payday loans and unsecured loans.

The gap is not closing

That’s what BBC News has found. Thanks to studies by groups like the Women and Work Commission, it has been determined that government in the United Kingdom is doing too little to tackle the issue of gender stereotypes in schools. They believe that this is the cause of the widening gap: women are still being steered toward “traditional” jobs. From 2007 to 2008, the gender pay gap in the United Kingdom jumped from 21.9 percent to 22.6 percent.

Tackling the stereotypes

“The government is committed to tackling inequalities in the workplace and progress has been made across the public sector and in helping women get the skills and training they need,” said Baroness Margaret Prosser, chair of the Women and Work Commission. “But ministers must match commitment with fundamental change that will make a real difference - starting in our schools.” ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Gender Pay Gap "Not Closing," Says U.K. Study"

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

'Illegally Thin' | DNP Weight Loss and Government Conspiracy

DNP weight loss story will sell well

Beware promises of magic.

My prediction for the next book that will skyrocket in sales: “Illegally Thin,” a book about DNP weight loss by someone who goes by the name Random Knight. This book has got everything: A supposed “miracle drug” that helps people lose weight. A government conspiracy. Crime.

Yep, now that word has gotten out about “Illegally Thin,” I predict we’ll see it on the best-sellers list almost as fast as you can get an online personal loan. Here are five reasons this book about DNP weight loss is destined for high sales.

1. People want to lose weight ‘the easy way’

“Illegally Thin” is a book about “the most valuable drug ever discovered” and DNP weight loss, or so says the product description that people marketing this book are circulating. The promoters also claim:

“It is a fat burning drug, clinically proven to be so effective; it could quickly, safely and easily rid the world of all problems related to excess body fat.”

Safely? Easily? Completely rid the world of problems related to excess body fat? In case you haven’t guessed yet, I find these claims outlandish and impossible. However, I predict at least a million Americans will be willing to spend $20 to find out if these claims are true. Anything labeled “fast” and “easy” and “weight loss” usually makes a killing in the U.S., even though it either doesn’t work or kills people. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "'Illegally Thin' | DNP Weight Loss and Government Conspiracy"

Transitional Care Cuts Hospital Re-Entry Rates, Costs

A study published earlier this year finds 1 out of 5 older patients who are discharged from a hospital will return within a month, costing Medicare about $17 billion a year. A program in Philadelphia assigns nurses to follow up with discharged patients in order to prevent readmission.

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Monday, July 27, 2009

Michael Vick Has Been Reinstated Into the NFL

On a conditional basis, Vick reinstated by football

Justice. (Photo: Infidelsparadise.com)

Anyone who commits a crime should be held responsible for their actions. This includes celebrities and superstar athletes who frequently find themselves in a position where they are held above the law. No special plea bargains, no special privileges, no skating where normal people would be put away for hard time. The time in which high-powered attorneys and PR teams can confuse juries by obfuscating the truth and wage war on those who sue their clients - beating them back via pure attrition - must end. The dog fighting crimes for which Michael Vick was arrested and served time were heinous, resulting in the careless death of many animals.

Now we see news of Michael Vick reinstated by the NFL. This is a colossal mistake and I hope that fans boycott whatever team signs him (there will be one, as he is an athletic talent, if not a great quarterback). That would include all of said team’s sponsors. Hit them where it hurts, where a team will notice. Put them in a place where they need cheap loans for quick cash. However, if you attend their games, watch them on television or purchase the merchandise of Vick’s new team, you are labeling yourself a barbarian. You are saying that it’s ok to maim and kill animals for your amusement. You, sir or ma’am, would label yourself a disgusting excuse for a human being.

Commissioner Goodell has lost his mind

Mark Maske reports for the Washington Post that on behalf of the National Football League, Commissioner Roger Goodell has agreed to a condition-laden reinstatement of Michael Vick. Currently, Vick is allowed to attempt to sign with a team and participate in their training camp activities. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Michael Vick Has Been Reinstated Into the NFL"

New Pricing Plan Launched For Online Music

Finding a formula for pricing music sales online has been a struggle for the industry. Charge too much and people won’t buy — charge too little and you don’t make a profit. But how much is too much or too little? Today one of the top music distributors is starting a new pricing system that it hopes will entice more people to buy music over the Internet.

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The Color of Money: When Target-Date Funds Miss the Mark

As dark as this recession has been, there’s been an upside in that it has exposed myriad problems in the investing industry.

Growth Career Fields for the Next Twenty Years

If you happen to be entering college and would like to decide the field you would like your career to be or feel the need to choose a major, you may want to consider a field that has growth prospects over the next twenty years or more. Even if you are already a few years into your career and it haven’t progressed the way you would like, now is a good time to consider shifting to a new direction. It would be impossible to accurately predict the future, but I can select a few careers I think will be growing based on current trends.

Information technology

Information technology (IT) is going to be huge, if not just in the next twenty years, for the remainder of the twenty-first century. While there is a trend of outsourcing jobs overseas, there are many types of careers that must remain local. Technology infrastructure is an exciting field. I expect broadband networks will be expanded to new areas and the populous areas already serviced by broadband will see upgrades. Beyond fiber optics, wireless broadband will be a strong trend as well.

Finance

Over the next twenty years, baby boomers will be retiring. Many still have pensions and many have 401(k) retirement plans. Retirees are going to need to know what to do with their money. Financial planners will have a strong market for their services, and so will investment advisers who sell products like annuities.

Health care

Politicians have their eyes on health care right now, and this is a valid response to the same social condition that requires more careers in finance. As the baby boomers, one of the largest demographics, continue to age, they will need more care. Home nurses will be in demand. Existing assisted living communities will increase capacity and new communities will be built. As an increasing number of people look to medication, more pharmacists will be needed.

Environmental scientists

Companies hire professionals to conduct environmental impact analysis whenever land is being developed. Not only is there still vast amounts of land that will be developed in the next twenty years, the focus on “green” will mean there will be even more work for environmental scientists. Environmental technicians will be in demand as well as entrepreneurs who create and manage the next generation of environmental consulting firms. The economy’s current slowdown means there may be less work now for environmental scientists whose work depends on new development, but I expect that to change when the economy recovers.

Not everyone needs to chase a career or job path that looks like it will be in high demand. I generally believe people should look to their own talents and desires before statistics in determining a course of study or career. I don’t deny, however, that fitting in to a carved-out path based on population patterns is a good idea for some people.

Are there any other careers likely to be in demand for the next couple of decades?

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Growth Career Fields for the Next Twenty Years

Friday, July 24, 2009

The Secret Millionaire's Club | Teaching Kids About Money

Making money education fun

He wants to teach your kids about money. You should listen, too. (Photo: adpulp.com)

He wants to teach your kids about money. You should listen, too. (Photo: DIC Entertainment)

What have we learned about the way people handle money lately? Loose and lazy seems to be the general rule in America, in that people don’t tend to plan as much for the future as they should and operate on instant gratification. Lack of impulse control is common. Yet the current recession has been a deep, dark, truthful mirror of sorts, not only for ourselves but for our government. Just as we must manage our money well and make informed decisions, the government needs to do the same and stop shoveling problems under the rug. Hopefully, the Obama administration will start breaking some of the old ways.

But what about us?

Payday loans and unsecured loans offer short-term help, but what should we do over the long haul? We should look to any sources we can find to teach ourselves and our children about finance. First and foremost, it should be part of the core educational curriculum from a very early stage in schools.

However, there are other tools. For instance, Warren Buffett, the mastermind investor of Berkshire-Hathaway, has agreed to lend his voice to a new animated series called “The Secret Millionaire’s Club.” The idea behind this is to “get children to grasp basic finance lessons well before they do things like, say, agree to a risky, adjustable rate mortgage,” reports The Huffington Post. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "The Secret Millionaire's Club | Teaching Kids About Money"

The Hawthorne Effect and Better Money Management

I was reading an article in Wired Magazine about improving one’s health with new personal metrics devices such as the Nike+iPod kit, which is a neat device that helps you easily track and records details about your running. Did you know that all it measures is the amount of time your foot is on the ground? (That time is inversely proportional to your speed.)

The Hawthorne Effect
In the 1920s, the management at the Hawthorne Works factory decided to try some things to improve productivity. When they improved the lighting, workers assembled parts faster. When they were given more breaks, workers assembled faster. But then, the reduced the lighting back to normal, and productivity was still increased. After months of tinkering, when all the work conditions were set back to the original state, productivity remained higher. The fact that they were being watched was the primary reason things changed.

The idea that the act of observing itself will change the phenomenon being observed became known as the Hawthorne Effect (also known as the “observer effect”), and has since been confirmed by many other follow-up studies.

Application to Personal Finances
While this seems like common sense, it is actually quite powerful to know that simply noting down what you spend every day or month in itself may improve your finances. You could set a budget or analyze trends later, but don’t worry about that for now. Don’t judge your expenses. Don’t try to change them. Just track them.

On that front, online aggregation sites like Quicken Online, Yodlee, Mint, and Geezeo make the data collection easier, just like the Nike gadget takes away the stopwatch and logbook. They all pull up your transactions automatically (if you trust them with your passwords and data). Otherwise, I still see nothing wrong with using simple pen and paper and/or a spreadsheet.

Making a Habit
Nike also found that once a Nike+iPod user uploads five runs to the software, the user is much, much more likely to keep running and uploading data. Maybe it would be good to set a goal of tracking expenses for… 5 weeks? We need time to get addicted to the stats!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Death & Taxes 2010

You know what they say, there are two things in life you can’t avoid: death and taxes. So you’d better make sure you understand both. Death & Taxes 2010, the infographic, will show you exactly how the Obama administration is planning to spend your money. Completely updated and newly released, it contains over 500 programs and departments and almost every program that receives over 200 million dollars annually. The data is straight from the president’s 2010 budget request and will be debated, amended, and approved by Congress to begin the fiscal year. All of the item circles are proportional in size to their spending totals and the percentage change from 2009 is included to spot trends and disproportion.

If you pay taxes, then you have paid for a small part of everything you see here. “Death and Taxes” is essential reading for any responsible citizen or information junkie.

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I have this crazy uncle

He is sixty and has yet to be married. Every time we tried to set him up on dates or something he would end up backing out and just not showing up. We all tried so hard to set him up with pretty girls. He was just never that interested. Instead he just travels between families and visits us all a lot. I really like him and think he is a really nice guy. I don't know why he never gave himself the benefit of the doubt and just married a girl. It doesn't really make sense but I don't really care anymore. We all tried and he wouldn't accept so we can no longer feel responsible for it.

Erin Andrews Video Peep Pictures | Trinity! (Pt. 3)

And Michael’s “on fire.” Gee, I wonder what that means…

The reporter, the woman and the Holy Hot Viral (Photo: Wheelsports.wordpress.com)

This concludes today’s article trinity on the Church of the Erin Andrews video peep pictures (aka viral topics I exploit for this blog). But I doubt you’ll find a take like mine on the matter, so you’ve come to the right place! CLICK HERE if you missed the second part; if you missed the BEGINNING, go there!

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Recently, the old 1984 Pepsi commercial where Michael’s head went up in a blaze of Jerri Curl came back into the news. Michael’s death had everything to do with that, as people close to the situation were looking to lay blame and found the media circus to be a perfect soapbox. Plus they want money. Why don’t they use pay day loans and secured loans instead, I ask you!

But here’s where Belew takes it. He references the Pepsi incident as the time when pain killers became a regular part of Michael’s life and led him down a path of self-destruction. Perhaps it did. But here’s the point of comparison Belew makes: he compares Michael with Jeremiah:

Jeremiah the prophet speaks of having fire in his bones. Jeremiah 20:9 - “But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Erin Andrews Video Peep Pictures | Trinity! (Pt. 3)"

50 Actions You Can Take Right Now to Pay Off Debt

There are many differing opinions about whether you can assign a quality like “good” or “bad” to debt. In general, I tend to believe that if debt is providing access to a necessary asset, like an education, a car, or a house, debt is at the least understandable. With debt, there is always a risk, and when you owe money to any other entity, you are often forced to live by their rules. So if freedom, financial and otherwise, is a goal, one of the major strategies on the path towards that goal is to eliminate your debt.

In an economic environment where your income is more at risk, you may choose to beef up your emergency fund rather than pay off debt. In other situations, debt is often not worth the interest you are required to pay.

Here are 50 things you can do right now to help you get out of debt. Some of these tips will directly help you pay off debt while some will help you save money so you have more cash available to eliminate that debt.

Link your debt account to your savings account and set up automated payments.
Stop using your credit cards.
Decide on a debt repayment method that makes sense for you while understanding the pros and cons of each.
Plan a party for each milestone, but don’t go into debt in order to celebrate.
Pay cash.
Empty the change from your pockets into a change jar each day.
Deposit that cash each month and transfer the amount to your larges or most expensive debt.
Make a second mortgage payment or car payment each month if you’re not penalized for doing so.
Cancel magazine subscriptions and divert that money towards your debt.
Postpone your vacation until you are out of debt.
Track your spending.
Stop watching television, particularly the commercials.
Don’t fall for Keeping Up With the Joneses; they’re in more debt than you.
Avoid scams and gurus that promise to make you rich quickly.
Learn how to cook rather than dining out.
Downsize your lifestyle: move into a less expensive house or apartment.
Divert the full amount of your raise directly to your debt.
Sell your unneeded stuff on eBay or Craiglist.
Give away anything you can’t sell.
Dispose of anything you can’t give away.
Put your credit cards in a cup of water in the freezer.
Call the credit card issuers to selectively cancel your credit cards.
Review your three free annual credit reports to ensure you’re aware of all of your debt.
Get your free credit score from CreditKarma as often as you like.
Involve your family and friends by letting them know of your plan.
Start a personal finance blog to chronicle your debt reduction adventure.
Use the library rather than buying books at the bookstore, renting movies from Netflix or the store, and buying CDs from Amazon.com.
Realize the ability to eliminate debt is completely within your control.
Use extra time to turn your hobby into a money-making business.
Modify your budget and find room to use more of your income to pay off debt.
Grow your own food in a garden.
When you need to replace your car, buy a used model with a great track record.
Wait before adopting the latest technologies until they are no longer the “latest.”
Remove the temptation to spend on things you like rather than the things you need.
Use smart credit card balance transfers to make your debt less expensive.
Improve your health to lower your health care expenses, and use those savings to reduce debt.
Quit smoking to save money and health expenses.
Read more blogs and personal success stories about getting out of debt.
Cancel your cable service.
Gradually increase your thermostat one degree each week during the summer or decrease it one degree each week during the winter.
Eliminate expensive hobbies that do not provide a return on your investment.
Stop trying to time the market and invest in individual stocks, and use that money to pay off your debt.
Downgrade your phone from your expensive iPhone or BlackBerry plan to a basic service without extra features.
Set up motivational reminders or alerts in your calendar software.
Save first, then spend, for everything.
Create subaccounts at ING Direct to identify money destined for eliminating debt.
Organize your bills in a system that ensures you won’t lose them or pay them late.
Always pay your bills on time, the earlier the better.
Don’t acquire more debt.
Speak up! Be part of a community; any tough task is made easier by working together and sharing ideas.

The Consumerism Commentary Podcast is in full swing with new episodes every Sunday. Listen and subscribe now!

(Scavenger hunt to win a free IPod? Here is a clue: “smart.”)

50 Actions You Can Take Right Now to Pay Off Debt

Longest, Most Viewed Solar Eclipse in the 21st Century

Personal Money Store Videos on Youtube

Have you ever seen a solar eclipse?

Its quite a site that shouldn’t be missed. Some people go to great trouble to view them, to the point of purchasing special lenses or traveling long distances in search of the optimal viewing experience.

Rebecca Carroll reports for National Geographic that this eclipse will pass over some of Earths most densely populated areas on Wednesday, July 22. As a result, it will likely become the most viewed eclipse to date in human history.

People in central India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and parts of China will know darkness in daylight then. From Shanghai and Hangzhou, China alone, it is estimated by scientists that 30 million people will witness the event.

Jay Pasachoff of Williams College in Massachusetts has been chasing solar eclipses since 1959 as a member of the National Geographic Society Committee for Research and Exploration. We brought about half a ton of equipment and picked up an equal amount borrowed here from our Chinese colleagues, so there is a lot to get ready, he added.

For more information on this article and others like it, please click on the following link:Personal Money Store: Longest Solar Eclipse

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Romaine Lettuce Recall | Salmonella Found in Wisconsin

Company issues quick romaine lettuce recall

California company Tanimura & Antle Inc. has recalled a batch of romaine lettuce after the Department of Agriculture found lettuce in Wisconsin that was contaminated with salmonella.

Agriculture industry news blog The Packer reports:

The traceback was swift because of the Tanimura & Antle’s use of technology. … The cartons of bulk and wrapped lettuce have the lot code 531380, and the lettuce was harvested June 25 to July 2. The company shipped the romaine to retail, foodservice and wholesale customers.

29 states affected by recall

Portions of the possibly contaminated lot, which was past its shelf life at the time of the recall, were shipped to 29 states as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. Are you ready for the list of states? Here it is:

Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Romaine Lettuce Recall | Salmonella Found in Wisconsin"

Romaine Lettuce Recall | Salmonella Found in Wisconsin

Company issues quick romaine lettuce recall

California company Tanimura & Antle Inc. has recalled a batch of romaine lettuce after the Department of Agriculture found lettuce in Wisconsin that was contaminated with salmonella.

Agriculture industry news blog The Packer reports:

The traceback was swift because of the Tanimura & Antle’s use of technology. … The cartons of bulk and wrapped lettuce have the lot code 531380, and the lettuce was harvested June 25 to July 2. The company shipped the romaine to retail, foodservice and wholesale customers.

29 states affected by recall

Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Romaine Lettuce Recall | Salmonella Found in Wisconsin"

Before Paying More for the Brand Name

I won’t drink coffee unless it’s from Starbucks. They just make a better product.

Branding is very important in the retail business, because you can charge more per product and still outsell your competition. When I was a salesperson and making long drives in an unknown city, I would always stop by a Starbucks whenever I’m tired. It’s not that I thought the coffee was a notch above the rest either. It was just that the experience was consistent and predictable. I knew the setting, I knew what I wanted, how much it would cost and the product that I was getting.

If I went to local coffee shops, the predictability stops. Do they sell ice coffees? Are credit cards accepted? Is it going to be too sweet? Sure, I can be adventurous, but I wasn’t in the right mood after a full day of meetings and driving. Is it worth the hassle when my main goal is to have good sales meetings? Not really.

Branding is an art-form that millions study. With careful and clever advertising, consumers can be lured into paying ridiculously high prices for a certain product that cost nothing to produce. Think of those t-shirts that cost 50 cents to make, or an pair of shoes that cost nothing more than a few dollars to produce.

As a consumer, brand name is expensive. Yet, many of us will gladly pay extra for it. Knowing when it’s worth it really comes down to personal choices, but before you shell out another dollar of your hard earn cash, think of these few factors before you give the cashier the chance to ask “credit or debit?”

Consumable vs Everlasting – Is the product everlasting (like a watch) or is it really just a consumable (like coffee)? Is it really worth paying twice as much to consume a product that will be forgotten in 45 minutes?
The Price Difference – Obviously, a $2 difference isn’t the same as $500, but do you actually know how much the alternatives cost?
Design and Value – Some products just lose value as time goes on. Fashion and gadgets come to mind. If this season’s color is purple and you are still buying clothes that are silver and gold, you are a little out-dated.
Importance to You – Some of you probably rolled your eyes when I talked about the color nonsense, while others will completely agree. Like I said, it’s all a personal choice, because different people value products differently. I couldn’t care less whether I’m wearing a red t-shirt or a blue sweater (I couldn’t even tell you what I’m currently wearing), but paying more for the latest iPhone versus the other version is important to me (if I was getting one). Know what’s important to you, and the decision becomes much more natural.

I Need More Help Deciding

Still stumped about whether you should pay more for it? Here are several ways to help you decide.

Bring an Expert – People who are really into fashion know that a Louis Vuitton hand bag is hand stitched and can last many years more than a regular no name brand. Other brands of clothing use high quality garment that also helps it last for years. Once you know the real differences, you can decide whether there’s value in the higher price tag.
Add Ignorance – Another trick is to bring someone who has no interest in the product you are considering. By not having the bias towards any brand, your friend can see quality with a much more objective eye.
Ask Around – Look for other people’s opinion about a product. Is it really all hype or is the higher price justified?

My New “No Name Brand” Sunglasses

I finally ordered my pair of new glasses because my glasses popped out again (this time, it happened while I was driving so that’s the end of waiting!). At first, I went to a store and the sales person kept pushing me high end spectacles. After looking around for a while, I tried on a pair that I really liked, and it happened to be 20% of what the other pairs cost. I was so happy. I forgot how pleasurable it was to find something I like at a price that’s much lower than expected.

It wasn’t a brand name, but it was just as nice, just as functional and best of all, it was much cheaper. Think carefully before you pay for another brand name.

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