(Photo: perhapstoopink/Flickr/CC-BY)

When it comes to motion-controlled video games, Nintendo Wii has almost the entire market to itself. However, numbers are showing that consumers are slowly moving away from the Wii system to rival game consoles like Microsoft’s Xbox 360. Truth is, Nintendo Wii, one of the most influential video game systems in the 21st century, is fading in popularity. And if Nintendo fails to produce a new creation to match with its competitors, returning to positive growth could be highly unlikely.

Not a good year for the Nintendo Wii

Leading U.K. video games retailer GAME blames Nintendo’s consoles for the decline in revenue and sales this year. Gamestation also reported a loss of nearly 40 percent in sales compared to last year’s sales for Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS consoles. U.S. consumers are also showing a shift away from the Wii. According to Conceivably Tech, August shipment numbers looked very troubling for Nintendo. Only about 244,000 Wiis were shipped. In contrast to the 357,000 Xbox 360 sales and 226,000 sales for PS3s, total Ninetendo Wii sales for that month seem to pale in comparison.

Overall game console sales have been in a state of decline. However, with the current trend, if Nintendo doesn’t come up with something fast, chances of reclaiming the lead will be slim to none. But don’t expect a new Wii console from the Japanese video game giant any time soon. A new Wii console might be introduced sometime next year, and it may not even be fully ready until 2012.

Motion-sensing game competitors

The Nintendo Wii is up against a few big-time competitors. Earlier this month, Sony launched PlayStation Move, a motion sensor that mimics the Wii remote, but with new motion-sensing technology improvements. Word is that Microsoft will also join forces with Kinect, a camera-based system that eliminates the need for hand controllers altogether. The system records users’ movements, faces and voices using a microphone, camera, depth sensor and processor. It is slated to be released in the U.S. sometime in November. The two companies are planning complete marketing attacks in preparation for the upcoming holidays.

(Photo: Kansir/Flickr/CC-BY)

In an effort to help the technology giant provide customers effective tools to create more focused marketing campaigns, International Business Machines Corp. has announced it will buy marketing software maker Unica Corp. for $480 million. IBM, which recently purchased Web analytics vendor Coremetrics, is offering Unica holders $21 a share. According to the Wall Street Journal, that’s more than double Thursday’s closing value and the highest level the stock has ever seen.

IBM and Unica join forces

IBM’s goal is to help customers generate a “consistent and relevant cross-channel brand experience to promote customer loyalty and satisfaction,” as outlined in a statement, says PC World. And shifting to higher-margin software business to maintain profit growth appears to be the company’s main strategic focus. Currently there are about 500 Unica employees, all of whom will be incorporated into IBM’s software division, where IBM believes Unica’s software for marketing organizations will offer an exceptional advantage to its business-analytics and consulting unit.

About Unica Corporation

A recognized leader in marketing software solutions, Unica Corporation has been around for almost two decades. Founded in 1992, the company is based in Waltham, Mass., with additional offices located in other parts of the nation and worldwide. It is one of England’s fastest growing technology companies. The company reported total revenue of $30.7 million for the third quarter fiscal 2010, which ended June 30, 2010. That shows a 14 percent increase compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

New movement appears promising

Unica has about 1,500 customers, which includes major retailers like BestBuy, eBay and ING. All its customers will soon become IBM customers once the acquisition is finalized. Unica CEO Yuchun Lee said he believes the new movement will help IBM improve all types of businesses, big and small. IBM officials are planning to discuss the Unica acquisition in further detail during a conference call Friday. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.

Women in South Africa are highly at risk of sexual assault.

Dr. Sonnet Ehlers created Rape-aXe, a female condom with jagged teeth, in an effort to cut down on sexual offenders in South Africa, a country with one of the worst rape rates in the world. Ehlers, who is sick and tired of seeing numbers of rape victims pouring in, has decided to give away thousands of the “condom with teeth” devices in cities close to where the World Cup games are taking place.

Sexual violence in South Africa

CIET Africa, a non-governmental organization, conducted a survey 10 years ago that revealed the shocking truth about rape crimes in South Africa. About 4,000 women were questioned in the survey, and one in every three admitted she’d been a victim of rape over the previous year. More than 50,000 cases are reported to authorities every year, according to BBC News. However, that figure is only a taste of the actual number of assaults against women in South Africa.

The latex condom with teeth

The latex condom with teeth is inserted by women just like tampons, reports CNN. Inside the device are lined rows of jagged teeth-like hooks that latch on to a man’s penis during penetration. According to Dr. Ehlers, only a doctor can remove it once the device is tightly hooked on. She is hoping it will help reduce the number of sex crimes in the nation.

“It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it’s on,” Ehlers said. “If he tries to remove it, it will clasp even tighter… however, it doesn’t break the skin, and there’s no danger of fluid exposure.”

Rape-axing sexual violence

Dr. Sonnet Ehlers plans to distribute 30,000 of the female condoms with teeth, Rape-aXe, completely free of charge. The latex device will sell for $2 apiece once the trial period is over. Ehlers said she visited several penitentiaries to speak with convicted rapists to find out whether such a device would have made them rethink their actions. Several of them said it definitely would have.

Get more information here:

CNN:

(Photo: Mike Baird/Flickr/CC-BY)

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

Travel warning issued for Spain, where first lady vacations

While her husband celebrated his 49th birthday in Chicago with talk show mega-star Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, with 9-year-old daughter and friends of the family, went on what the White House described as a four-day “private trip” to the beautiful southern coast of Spain. While some are avoiding talking about the trip’s price, others are voicing concerns of safety.

Fox News reports that the State Department had advised Americans traveling to Spain to take caution as “racist prejudices could lead to the arrest of Afro-Americans who travel to Spain,” a message posted on its website. The wording, however, can no longer be found, as it appears it was quickly pulled when the first lady and daughter Sasha left on their trip. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley, when asked if there was a travel warning for Spain, said, “I don’t believe so.”

The costs of the first lady’s vacation trip to Spain

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

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

(Photo: Dare*2*Dream/Flickr/CC BY-SA)

At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, a man strolled into the Hartford Distributors in Manchester, Conn., with a .223 caliber semiautomatic and opened fire, killing nine people and leaving several others injured. According to the New York Times, the recent Connecticut shooting spree claimed the lives of union representatives, truck drivers and a relative of the owner who worked there.

Was the Connecticut shooting influenced by racism?

The suspect in the latest Connecticut shooting spree was an employee of the Hartford Distributors, a beer and distributor business. Omar S. Thornton, 34, worked for the company as a warehouse driver. He was allegedly caught on a surveillance camera stealing beer and was asked to resign from his post as he awaited a disciplinary hearing. According to ABC News, however, those close to the alleged gunman believe the Connecticut shooting may have been sparked by racism.

Joanne Hannah, mother of Thornton’s girlfriend of eight years, said Thornton had complained about racial harassment at work, saying he “found a picture of a noose and a racial epithet written on a bathroom wall.” Thornton, a black man, had apparently brought up the issue to his supervisors, but no one responded to his complaints. “Everybody’s got a breaking point,” Hannah said.

Connecticut shooting and other cases involving disgruntled workers

The recent Connecticut shooting spree that took place at Hartford Distribution is the nation’s deadliest rampage since the Fort Hood, Texas, shooting that occurred last November, an event that also involved a disgruntled worker. A military psychiatrist entered one of the largest military bases in the United States and killed 13 people and left 30 others wounded.

On Friday Nov. 6, just 24 hours after the Fort Hood shooting, gunman Jason Rodriguez walked into the offices of Reynolds Smith & Hills in Orlando, Fla., and killed one person and wounded five others. He was a former employee of the firm, though he was fired two years prior to the incident. After being let go, Rodriguez began working at Subway and has since filed for bankruptcy. According to CNN, when asked why he committed the terrible crime, Rodriguez replied: “Because they left me to rot.”

This story is still developing as of this writing. Visit ABC News for more updates.

Related Video: Connecticut shooting at Hartford Distribution

(Photo: LINGSTUDIO®/Flickr/CC BY)

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to require ridiculous amounts of money. In fact, there are many simple ways to plan a wedding on a budget without breaking the bank or needing a last minute cash advance. Whether your limit is $500 or $5,000, with these wedding planning tips, you can have a beautiful inexpensive wedding with memories that will last a lifetime.

Plan a wedding on a budget by cutting the guest list

To really plan a wedding on a budget, one of the first places you should look is your guest list. Cutting down the number of guests can greatly reduce the amount of money spent on caterers and food, among other costs. Each time a name is added to the list, you’re adding more tension to your budget. So don’t be afraid to skip inviting those you haven’t seen in ages or ones you can’t stand to be with for more than a minute. Don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feeling; it’s you, your wedding and your budget that need the pleasing.

Save money on a wedding dress

One of the main highlights of planning a wedding is choosing the right wedding dress. However, for those who are planning on a budget, it can get pretty overwhelming. So before you settle on a wedding dress and apply for a cash advance to pay the difference, consider your options. You can save big by shopping around and comparing prices online. There are many websites that offer a variety of wedding dresses that won’t put a hole in your wallet. And for the brides who don’t mind, perhaps renting a dress is right for you.

Wedding date and location

Where and when you have your wedding will also determine how much you spend and how much you save. The best time to plan a wedding on a budget is during off-season months, which vary depending on your regional climate. For cold-weather states, off-season savings kick in during winter and vice-versa for places with warmer climates. Planning an off-season wedding can save you big bucks because many wedding vendors are out hunting for business and are willing to offer great saving deals to draw you in. Also, the wedding location doesn’t have to be at a lavish club house or hotel. Check out local restaurants, parks and even your community college and compare prices.

Save money on food and drinks

Don’t be afraid to ask your caterer for the least expensive entrees. Would a buffet cost less than a seated dinner? Can you skip the main course and stick with just drinks and appetizers? Can you serve only wine and beer instead of having a full bar? Food costs take up a large portion of the budget, so don’t hesitate to make changes to the menu if needed.

Saving money on food can keep you out of debt, physically and financially. (Photo: Thinkstock)

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

Saving money on food

First off, remember to keep things simple — focus on relatively easy ways to save, like saving money on food purchases. Though the cost of food is rising, you can avoid the need for payday loans by learning a few simple tricks on how to really save money on food. Every little thing adds up, and you will notice a drastic change in your spending lifestyle, as well as your health, if you work on developing good eating and spending habits.

Buy store brands

One easy, painless way to cut the grocery bill is to buy store brand food. As budgets get tighter and food prices run high, more and more consumers are turning to store brands — including higher income families. There are many store brand offerings that are just as good as or better than name brand products. Many supermarket chains are offering more store brand products of better quality, and sticking close to store brand purchases can cut the bill down by 50 percent or more.

Buying in Bulk

Another great way to save money on food and prevent the need for payday loans is to buy in bulk. Pay attention to what items cost the most and consider whether buying in bulk can save you more money. Of course, you may want to avoid buying highly perishable items in bulk, like fresh fruits and vegetables, but things like rice, pasta, beans and potatoes can be stored for awhile. Be careful, though, because buying in bulk can also work against you if you overstock and throw things away. Spoiled food is nothing but money down the drain.

Avoid impulse buying

Before you head out to the supermarket, make it a habit to write out a list first. Focus that list on necessary things you need each month and try not to confuse your wants with your needs. Impulse buying can be deadly to your budget, so plan ahead and stay within your boundaries. If there’s something you want for no reason other than to boost your morale, write up a separate list for it. As you watch your money grow by saving money, go back to that list and budget for one item at a time. Always reward yourself for your efforts that pay off, but never forget that some of the greatest rewards in life are free.

Tip: Plan a small shopping trip during the busiest time of the day. With your list at hand, you will be in-and-out in no time without having the urge to meander around and spark temptation. Get in, get it and get out.

Cook your own food at home

This can sometimes be tricky, particularly if you work a busy schedule. But keep in mind that you can save some serious bucks just by making meals at home. Furthermore, eating processed food and eating out can have a negative effect on your weight and overall health, as well as your budget. If you have a busy lifestyle, planning ahead will help a great deal. And that’s where the magic of the crock pot comes in. Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker the night before, and on your way out the door the next morning, it will take almost no time to pull it out of the fridge and have it cook all day while you’re away. It’s as quick and easy as getting online payday loans. You can come home after a long, busy day to a delicious home-cooked dinner everyone will enjoy.

Missing pet posters are turning up everywhere as numerous pet owners struggle to find their missing pets. (Photo: NCinDC/Flickr/CC BY-ND)

Reports of beloved family pets vanishing and turning up dead are flooding in at an alarming rate in Boston, Mass. Many families in the local area believe fisher cats are to blame. More than a few people claim to have seen the wild, sharp-toothed, weasel-looking fisher cat in residential neighborhoods, and residents are advised to take caution.

Fisher cat attack in Boston

Boston residents believe the high number of pets disappearing in the area is due to fisher cat attacks. Reports of missing pets in the local area are skyrocketing, and people are warned to take extra precaution to protect their pets and even small children. Numerous residents say that fisher cats have been spotted in people’s back yards, in fences and on back porches — right out in broad daylight. A man in Andover even captured video clips of a fisher cat spotted in a tree.

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

What is a fisher cat?

Fisher cats fall in the same family as weasels, minks, otters and skunks. Long, thin and low to the ground, the medium-sized fisher cat is a predator that will eat just about anything it can find. According to Wikipedia, fisher cats are one of the few predators that look for and kill porcupines. They are active all year long and are most lively during twilight, in dawn and dusk hours of the day.

What to do

Missing posters are turning up everywhere across the region as despaired pet owners search for animals that have disappeared recently. According to wildlife officials, the fisher cat was nearly extinct not too long ago, but it appears the species has bounced back in the Boston area. Families and pet owners are advised to secure or remove anything that may attract fisher cats. Remove garbage and compost and keep pet food, pet rabbits and birds secure, as the fisher cats “view domestic cats and rabbits as food and will prey on them when hunting.”

Saving money while spending it

Many consumers believe that saving money heavily depends on how much an individual makes. However, how much you earn is only one part of the equation. Making more money doesn’t necessarily mean you are free from financial troubles. In fact, without good money management in place, it will feel no different than earning a minimum-waged income.

So focus on your monthly bills and realistically evaluate the things that are important and things that are not. Just as you make time for eating, sleeping or leisure activities, you must also dedicate some time to your personal finance each and every month. This way, you know exactly where your hard-earned money is going and make a few changes if necessary.

Having self-control

Temptation comes in many forms, and it is often so potent it seems almost impossible to resist. “Spend now or save tomorrow” is a common issue many are faced with each day. Many confuse their needs with their wants and fail to make realistic choices on what would benefit them the most. They clutter their closets with absolutely unnecessary things and even fill their fridge with food they are not really fond of. Not having self-control can lead to impulse buying, which can in turn lead to overspending and eventually, insurmountable debt.

From kids and adults to small business and corporate owners, learning the skills and strategies to save and invest money can improve the quality of life. And the only way to do that is to have discipline and self-control.

Save for emergencies

Simply forgoing saving money can spell future financial catastrophe. The average person knows that having a financial back-up plan is crucial, particularly in times of immediate monetary needs. Unexpected things happen at the most unexpected times, and when the unexpected happens without a moment’s notice, you had better hope you have some extra cash stored away somewhere. Of course, you can get payday loans in times of absolute urgency, but the fact remains that there is nothing more shielding than to be financially prepared.

Saving money makes dreams come true

There are many reasons why you should start saving money, if you have not yet already. If you are still thinking of the beautiful dream house with a white-picket fence, that dream house will remain a dream for the rest of your life if you do not take immediate action and start saving. What about the vacation trip to Cancun you promised the family? Think you’ll ever get there without saving? What about retirement? Time is ticking and the longer you wait, the longer it will take you to reach financial stability. So put your money to work — start saving now!

Peter Geyer and Andrea Parrish, Wedding Cans (Photo from tinytall, Flickr.com)

The Wedding Cans couple has successfully reached their goal to collect 400,000 aluminum cans to pay for their wedding — all accomplished in just eight months! Who would’ve ever imagined collecting cans would pay for an entire wedding? Some may call it crazy, but this Spokane couple is proving that great success lies within the craziest ideas.

Wedding cans are ringing success

In just 197 days, Andrea Parrish and Peter Geyer have already reached 100 percent of their goal, thanks to the United Recycling Services, Alcoa Aluminum and the outpouring support from people across the globe. The two will wed next month, July 31, at the Corbin Art Center in Spokane, Wash., where wedding cans will ring, not just for love, but for their outstanding accomplishment.

“The response to this project has been overwhelming,” said Andrea.

“The most exciting thing about the project is how many people have borrowed the idea,” adds Peter. “We have other engaged couples recycling for their weddings and honeymoons — even a woman collecting cans to pay for her liver transplant.”

Peter and Andrea will donate more than half of the proceeds of any additional cans they collect to nonprofit organizations Rim Country Land Institute and Doctors Without Borders, using only 40 percent for their honeymoon.

Wedding Cans – a story to remember

Although the couple has suffered through many challenges on their quest to collect five tons of aluminum cans to help fund their summer wedding, the two have remained loyal to their values, as well as the crazy idea that came to mind at 1 o’clock one morning. In a time of excessive consumerism and outlandish wedding expenses, Peter and Andrea are truly admired for their courageous efforts of dedicating probably the biggest event of their lives to saving the planet. Congratulations to Peter and Andrea on their Wedding Cans success!

For more information about Wedding Cans, visit www.weddingcans.com

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(Photo from Peter Fuchs, Flickr.com)

Taste of Chicago is at again, bringing out the colorful, delectable tastes of Chicago, Ill., from people all over the world. Taste of Chicago 2010 will be June 25 through July 4, and it will be held at the city’s front yard, the beautiful Grant Park.

Taste of Chicago 2010 brings yet another tasteful experience

You won’t need quick cash loans to enjoy Taste of Chicago 2010. There is no admission fee, and tickets for food and beverage purchases are available at a very low price — 12 tickets for $8! Be sure to check out the food booths to find out what number of tickets is required for each food and beverage purchase. There are a ton of sample foods offered for only 2-4 tickets. Plus, you get free entertainment from popular musical performers like Salt-n-Pepa, Bel Biv Devoe, Trey Songz, Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, Emily Osment the Steve Miller Band, and so much more!

A small taste of Taste of Chicago 2010

Courtesy of ChicagoTraveler.com, here is a partial list of this year’s Taste of Chicago menu:

• Chicago Italian beef sandwiches from Tuscany Restaurant, located in Little Italy in Chicago
• Chicago pizza from Home Run Inn Pizza, Reggio’s Pizza, Bacino’s Pizza, Lou Malnati’s Pizza, Connie’s Pizza and Doreen’s Pizza
• A vast selection of sausages from Bobak Sausage Company
• Delicious Mexican food from Adobo Grill, Carbon and La Justicia
• Seafood lovers! – Grilled shrimp and lobster from Oak Street Beach Café
• Mouthwatering dessert from Eli’s Cheesecake, JR Dessert Bakery, Churro Factory and Abundance Bakery

This is only a small portion of what Taste of Chicago has in store for you this year, as it continues to hold the number one spot for the largest food festival — in the world!

Taste of Chicago brings Unity in Diversity

Taste of Chicago 2010 is not just about food; it’s about bringing people of all walks of life together to learn from each other through remarkable cooking. The fact remains that the world revolves around food, and it has brought many people together, with unity in diversity. Food represents the shared flavors of life, love, and the long-lasting bond that unites the two. And through this bond and shared experiences, strong relationships flourish, intimacy develops and sweet memories form.

Box Jellyfish (Image from Flickr.com)

About a month ago, 10-year-old Rachael Shardlow was swimming in the Calliope River near Gladstone when she was stung by a box jellyfish, a very potent venom-producing jellyfish. The box jellyfish is known to be one of the deadliest creatures in the world, capable of killing an adult human being in just four minutes, with or without the help of instant money. Amazingly, Rachael survived.

10-year-old stung by a box jellyfish

According to a report by ABC News, Rachael Shardlow is doing well, though she has scarring and is experiencing some short-term memory loss after her box jellyfish incident. “We’ve noticed a small amount of short-term memory loss, like riding a pushbike to school and forgetting she’s taken a pushbike,” said Rachael’s father, Geoff Shardlow.

Rachael was pulled out of the water and onto the riverbank, thanks to her 13-year-old brother. The box jellyfish did not just sting her; it wrapped itself around her limbs and would not let go. With the box jellyfish’s tentacles still strapped around her limbs, she fell unconscious shortly after she managed to inform her brother she couldn’t breathe or see.

‘This kid should not be alive’

Jamie Seymour, a zoology and tropical ecology associate professor at James Cook University, said that anyone with severe stings like Rachael’s, especially stings from a venomous box jellyfish, would likely not survive. “When I first saw the pictures of the injuries I just went, ‘you know to be honest, this kid should not be alive’,” he said. “…They are horrific.” Seymour says he does not know of any case where a victim survived after undergoing such extensive stings, no matter the amount of emergency money at hand. “Usually when you see people who have been stung by box jellyfish with that number of the tentacle contacts on their body, it’s usually in a morgue.”

A miraculous recovery

According to reports, Rachael Shardlow is recovering just fine. She says her wounds from the box jellyfish stings no longer hurt as much but are itchy. She admits she now fears the water, even though she only plans to swim in pools for the time being.

Besides the scarring and slight short-term memory loss, Rachael is doing well. Her father said “the greatest fear was actual brain damage [but] her cognitive skills and memory tests were all fine.” Rachael is expected to require ongoing treatment, but overall, she is healing miraculously.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/of_guido/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Understanding the important bond between money and children now will reap great results in the end. (Photo: Thinkstock)

“Money is what makes the world go ’round,” some say. To a great extent, this is a very true adage, one that has been known for many years. Money and children are the prime focus when looking for a ray of sunshine in the future. They are the adults of tomorrow, the ones who will be making the final decisions when our days are over. But how well will they manage? Can you affect the bond between money and children, and could it provide a better outlook for their financial futures?

Money and children – the earlier the better

Many adults these days are struggling through financial problems, big and small. The recent recession has proved that even the most responsible individuals can fall flat on their faces with a single blow. What about adults who were never taught the true value of money? Where are they now financially? Are they repeatedly stuck from one pay day to another? One thing’s for sure, without the proper understanding of money, financial disaster will be the only outcome. That’s why it’s absolutely crucial that you start teaching your children about money when they are still young.

Not only will they begin to develop strong saving habits, but they will also learn to make smart purchases and understand the true meaning of “investment.” As they advance into their adult lives, this “understanding” will slowly develop into a powerful instrument that will secure financial stability and help them achieve success in multiple of ways. Isn’t this something you want for your children’s future? If so, start teaching them about money now.

The man in the mirror

“Monkey see, monkey do” – that’s how children are, it’s true. Do not underestimate the brilliance of a child. Don’t forget that children will take into account how you manage money. They learn a lot just by watching you and your personal financial dealings: spending, withdrawing, cashing, saving, etc. So be a role model for your children and set a fine example. Pave the right path for them to follow and remember, always allow room for mistakes. Surely you’ve made a few of them yourself.

Creating a strong financial future

It doesn’t matter where you come from, rich or poor, the focal idea regarding money and children is still the same. How well you train your children about money is what will determine their financial futures. The time and effort you invest today in teaching your children about money will reap great results in the long run.

Online payday advance lenders – fast and convenient

Payday advance lenders can be found easily online. Sites like Personal Money Market are designed to help busy, hardworking individuals find and obtain the financial help they need by eliminating the traditional hassles of getting approved for a payday advance. You can get the help you need, regardless of your credit score. Even better, particularly for those who suffer from bad credit, bad credit loans and installment loans for bad credit are also made accessibly available online.

You no longer have to worry about finding a payday advance store in your local area and then suffer the shame of waiting in line – in public – to apply for your payday advance loan (although, in reality, it happens to just about every one of us). If you need a fast payday advance for whatever your reasons are, seek the help you need from online payday advance lenders. It’s fast, simple, and convenient.

Wide network of payday advance lenders

Personal Money Market has combined a wide network of some of the most reputable online payday advance lenders around that offer different types of loan products – cash advances, installment loans, no faxing payday loans and even auto loans are provided. They make it easy to get approval, no matter the financial state you are currently in. How? With Personal Money Market’s wide network of payday advance lenders of course. It increases your chances of getting approved for a fast payday advance today, with just one application. Thanks to payday advance lenders, along with the power of the Internet, getting the financial help you need has never been easier.

Start your fast payday advance loan application HERE!

St. Louis police authorities are looking for a man in connection with a shooting that occurred at the ABB Power plant, which has left three people dead and eight injured. According to Fox News, Police are searching for Timothy Hendron, 51, who reportedly worked at the power company for 25-30 years. They are also looking for the car he may have been driving, “a pewter-colored Nissan truck with license plates with Missouri license plate OKK 696.”

Around 6:30 a.m., a man with a large assault rifle, possibly an AK-47, entered the ABB Power plant in St. Louis, Missouri, a company that makes power transmission and industrial automation equipment, and employs about 270 employees at this particular location. Police were told that the gunman also carried a handgun, a rifle and an ammunition belt, according to Fox News.

Is this a case of revenge?

Police believe Timothy Hendron is the suspect in this case. Family members of ABB employees suggest that the shooter was a “disgruntled worker”, who had possibly been fired from his job recently. Certainly, desperate need of quick cash while feeling betrayed over a job loss is enough to drive a person wild, especially in this economy. Did this happen to Timothy Hendron?

Hendron’s friend and neighbor Ronald D. Bartram say no. He told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he does not believe his friend is capable of such a thing, and that police may be looking for the wrong man. “I am very upset,” said Bartram. “He’s a good friend of mine and I am really concerned. He is a good man.” He said that Hendron has been working for the company for many years, and nothing seem to be bothering him when he spoke to him last just two days ago. He did say that Hendron is a hunter and has guns in his possession.

Thomas Schmidt, Swiss-based ABB spokesman, told Fox News that they are closely working with police, but did not say whether or not the shooter was a former employee of the company. “We are shocked about the event and our thoughts are currently with the families,” Schmidt said.

ABB Group

ABB Group is one of the largest engineering companies in the world, a Swiss-Swedish multinational corporation headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, that employs approximately 120,000 people worldwide. In October last year, the company reported approximately $1 billion in third quarter earnings.

This story is still developing as of this writing. Visit Fox News for more updates.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danebrian/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

(Image from atbaker, Flickr.com)

This year is no different from last year. Saving money is still the main concern for many consumers these days. If anything has changed over the past years, then it’s definitely more people joining in on the quest to save money.

New Year’s Eve is just three days away, and it’s going to take a lot to come up with some New Year’s Eve party ideas – or not. In order to save a trip to your local payday loan store, you have to be creative. There are tons of cheap and simple New Year’s party ideas available for your New Year’s celebration that everyone will remember throughout the years to come.

New Year’s Eve Party Menu

You don’t necessarily have to spend big bucks to have a great New Year’s Party. One of the best things you can do is get together with friends and family and plan out a get-together that will be easy on everyone’s pocket. Write down different food items on small pieces of paper, fold them up one by one, throw it in a hat or a bag, and have each participant pick one out. You’d be amazed how much food you can put together with just a little touch of teamwork.

Party Decorations – Head North to the Attic

If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t waste anything that can still be used again. As a matter of fact, right before Christmas, I found a box of used gift bags that were still in great shape. I also found party streamers, opened bags of balloons, strings and fancy ribbons that came in quite handy while awaiting Santa’s arrival last week. I saved a bunch of money just by digging around the house and reusing items I saved from previous years. And you can do the exact same thing. Christmas and birthday decorations can definitely turn your New Year’s party into something explosively chic. Like I said earlier on, all you really need is to be creative.

New Year’s Party Games for the Entire Family

Let’s go back to the hat idea, but this time with a different twist. Charades is one of the best family games ever. Once you get into the game, there’s no stopping the fun and excitement you get out of it. Another idea for New Year’s party games involved a swift beat of music. Freeze Dance was one of my favorite childhood games, and I’m sure kids still enjoy playing it after all these years. You can also make little candy grams for the kids as prizes.

If dancing with your feet sounds a bit too chaotic for your taste, why not pull out the old board games that’s been sitting for ages in the closet? Scrabble, Yahtzee and Twister are only a few of the many favorite board games of all time. You can never go wrong with board games. That is, of course, if everyone play by the rules.

No Need to Stress for the Best

Whatever you choose to do this New Year’s Eve, whether you go green and save money or apply for a payday loan to cover the New Year’s expense is really up to you. Like I said, there are tons of cheap and simple New Year’s party ideas. Don’t stress over finances this New Year’s Eve, but uncover the best with your creative creations.

Do you have some New Year’s party ideas in mind? Share it in the comment box below!

Try driving one of 'em big boys. (Photo: http://picasaweb.google.com/russell.seth)

Unemployment is nothing new these days. But with the holidays just around the corner, the last thing we want to talk about is unemployment. Employees of Arrow Trucking, however, are not as fortunate as many of us are. Just three days before Christmas, Arrow employees are forced to cope with what many of us have witnessed firsthand, and continue to dread: Unemployment.

Arrow Trucking – facing bankruptcy?

Arrow Trucking operates about 1,400 trucks throughout the United States, and has been in business for more than half a century. Rumor has it that the company has gone bankrupt, yet not one of their big-time executives has come out to neither confirm nor deny this claim.

According to a report published today by Tulsa World news, an unidentified inside administration worker said that about 200 employees were told by company executives to pack their belongings and go home Tuesday morning. Workers were seen carrying boxes out of the Arrow Trucking office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “The building is clearing out,” said the anonymous insider. “We’ll know within 24 hours if it’s permanent.”

The Life of a Truck Driver

Truck driving can earn you a hefty pay day, but it’s definitely no easy job. Drivers are gone hours on end, often for days, traveling day and night, state to state, no matter the weather. If you think you’re tired because you managed to get one or two blisters from shoveling snow off your sidewalk, you might want to reevaluate your definition of “tired”. As a truck driver, you must be alert at all times. Though beaten and exhausted, they somehow manage to finish the job in a reasonable amount of time. Operating huge trucks through different weathers, steep mountains, narrow lanes, heavy traffic and blindspots is hard enough. And they don’t just get to put their feet up once they reach their destination. After hauling stuff all day, they move on to loading and unloading. Now that’s a tiresome job.

Arrow Trucking Drivers – Stranded

When you’re traveling place to place hauling goods all day, the last thing you want is to be stranded. Unfortunately, according to the report, some drivers of Arrow Trucking are now stranded and unable to get home. Ruben Bradley, an Arrow driver, said that he was told by a dispatcher Monday night to pick up his load for delivery in New Mexico. At a truck stop in Wichita Fall, Texas today, he says he has decided not to move until he is certain he can refuel after he delivers his load. “A driver was told they’re shutting the doors and to bring his truck to the nearest Freightliner dealer or Arrow terminal,” Bradley said. “He was told if you took it to the Freightliner dealer, they would see about getting us back home.”

There is no certainty yet of what the future beholds for Arrow Trucking. Many Arrow employees, however, who have not received their last pay day check, will have to find a way to make ends meet, and welcome the New Year with every ounce of spirit they can manage to haul out.

(Photo via richardmasoner, Flickr.com)

Pastor Bill Wilson is Senior Pastor of Metro Ministries and founder of Operation Holiday Hope, a non-profit organization that provides wrapped gifts to children from all over the world. Pastor Wilson, through his organization, has been supplying orphans and low-income families with wrapped brand-new Christmas gifts, often the very first gift a child has ever received. Today, the charitable association is at it again, celebrating their 14th annual Operation Holiday Hope outreach and raising quick cash to fund Christmas gifts for struggling children across the globe.

The Story of Pastor Bill Wilson, a Story like No Other

Pastor Wilson not only provided a reason to smile for many sad, lonely children. He, too, had a life similar to the lives of the children he has, and continues to reach out to.

Wilson was abandoned by his mother at the mere age of 12, almost 50 years ago. Looking back, he remembers sitting on a street corner in St. Petersburg, Florida with his alcoholic mother. “I can’t do this anymore,” his mother had said to him. “You wait here.” So he did. He sat there waiting by that street corner for three long days, but his mother never came back. Thankfully, a man found Bill and took him to his home. His name was Dave Rudenis, a local mechanic and devoted Christian. Not only did Rudenis take the young man under his wings, but he was even willing to come up with some quick cash to pay Bill’s way to a Christian summer camp, despite the fact that his own son was laying in a hospital bed dying from cancer.

“I am the pastor of the largest Sunday school in the world. Why? Because one man, out of his own need, with his own family and their own drama, but still, he still chooses to stop and picked me up, and he put something in motion,” he said through tears in a recent Fox News interview. “That’s why I do what I do.”

Pastor Bill Wilson Making a Difference

In 1980, Pastor Bill Wilson decided to move to one of the toughest areas in New York. He started the Metro Ministries in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn, which has now become the largest Sunday school in the nation. For the past decades, Wilson has kept true to his word and continues to help children in need worldwide. Operation Holiday Hope has grown wondrously, celebrating their 14th annual Operation Holiday Hope outreach, and continues to make a global difference that many will forever remember.

Arnim Ramdass left his wife, Donna Campbell, after winning the lottery, leaving her with nothing more than a foreclosed home. (Photo via sophistechate, Flickr.com)

I was reading a story this morning on CBS4 about a man who won the Florida lottery back in 2007. The story, however, is more than just the share of the $19 million lottery he won with 16 of his co-workers at Miami International Airport. It’s quite bigger than that. The man wins the lottery and leaves his wife who, unfortunately, is now facing a foreclosure on their home.

Lottery Winner’s Wife Faces Foreclosure

Donna Campbell, like many people across the nation, is facing mortgage problems and homelessness. Now, the woman whose husband left her after winning the lottery back in 2007 is set to be evicted from the home she once shared with her husband, Arnim Ramdass. She has until Tuesday to pack her belongings and move out of her Miramar home.

Winning the lottery is huge. If you manage your money wisely, you may never need an installment loan to make ends meet. I have never won the lottery, or ever tried to for that matter. But if I ever do hit the lottery, the first person I would run to would be the person who matters the most to me. That someone would have to be the person who shares just about every moment, every penny and every ounce of love and struggle with me. Basically, that person should represent “my other half.” Then again, I guess Donna Campbell didn’t matter as much to her husband as she should have. Whatever the case may be, there’s no denying Arnim Ramdass is a crappy husband, a dirt-bag, and an exceedingly selfish individual. Nothing more, nothing less.

Where is Arnim Ramdass?

So far, no one seems to know where Arnim Ramdass is, especially the woman he vowed to spend the rest of his life with. Donna said she didn’t know her husband had won the lottery until a postcard arrived in the mail and, thanks to the almighty Google, Donna discovered he was, in fact, a lottery winner. Before she had the chance to formally address the matter with her husband, Arnim Ramdass disappeared and is still nowhere to be found.

Donna Campbell is reportedly filing for a divorce and is seeking half of her husband’s lottery winnings. I mean, the man not only wins the lottery and leaves his wife, but he also stopped paying their mortgage. Now their home is foreclosed, and poor Donna is being evicted with nowhere to go. Hopefully, she’ll be able to get some help with an unsecured installment loan. Until Donna Campbell gets the chance to burn Arnim Ramdass, however, she will first have to figure out a way out of this mess – alone.

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In Chicago, an astounding 20,000 people go missing every year. (Image from Wikimedia.org)

Jameshia Conner was the missing 12-year-old girl who recently was found dead in a South Side alley near her home in Chicago. Police authorities have ruled her death a homicide. Her body was found beaten and battered. Police believe Jameshia had passed away just one day before her body was found, although she had been missing for two weeks.

Chicago Police Dept. Under Scrutiny

The tragic story of Jameshia Conner has brought out many concerns over police’s tactics on reported missing children. Now her family is reportedly criticizing police, accusing them for not taking the appropriate actions within the immediate moments after the young girl was reported missing. Like instant cash loans, full immediate action must be carried out as soon as a child is reported missing.

The family, along with other members of the community, said that had police given Jameshia’s case the attention it required, she may still be alive today. They claim authorities mistakenly marked the case as a run-away, instead of a missing endangered child. However, Chicago police are standing their grounds and defending their investigating procedures.

“You can’t fault the police for the investigation that they conducted over these last two weeks. It clearly shows over 20 reports that were submitted, flyers that were handed out, leads messages that were created,” said Deputy Superintendent Steve Peterson of the Chicago Police Department. “There’s nothing that needs to be change in the investigative process in the Chicago Police Department.”

A recent investigation conducted by the Chicago Sun-Times, however, showed that “not all missing-persons cases are investigated equally, with race and age often playing a role in the level of urgency.” The report also shows that Chicago police considers missing-persons cases a priority if the child is under the age of 10, an elderly, “and those deemed ‘endangered,’ like mentally ill.”

Even Elected Officials Are Talking

On Tuesday night, a grieving crowd gathered in the alley where Jameshia Conner’s body was found. Rep. Bobby Rush was also present at the Tuesday night vigil. “Why did the Chicago Police Department classify this child as a runaway despite the pleas of the family that she did not match that profile?” he asked. “If police had taken this case more seriously, might Jahmeshia be alive today? Why wasn’t an Amber Alert issued? Had her case received the same amount of publicity that missing children from other communities receive, might she be alive today?”

Like instant cash loans for people in need of immediate funds, did police respond fast enough in the case of Jameshia Conner? Did they take the case as serious as they should have? What do you think?

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