Why should students strive so hard only to disappear into a black hole of debt? Image fom Wikimedia Commons.

There are many components to the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, and one of the big items concerns aggressive marketing of credit cards to college students. College is an increasingly expensive undertaking, and many a student has wanted for debt relief upon graduation having to pay back the money lenders that helped finance their education as well as high credit card premiums. The State University of New York system, or SUNY, the state network of public universities that has 68 campuses, has decided to put barriers in place to help keep Joe and Jane college student and their credit scores out of harm’s way.

SUNY says no to marketing practices

According to CNN, SUNY has placed restrictions on marketing practices relating to credit cards on SUNY campuses. The action was spearheaded by Mario Cuomo, the State Attorney General. SUNY schools cannot provide information to credit card companies for the purpose of offering cards to students, without the written prior consent of students. Also, schools cannot receive any funds for doing so. Cuomo has recommended all universities in New York schools adopt the same reforms. Credit card company advertising on campus will also be monitored and controlled by the university.

Students uniquely susceptible

College students are one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to credit card debt. Sallie Mae found that the average college student carries more than $4,000 in credit card debt upon graduation, on top of their unsecured loans to finance college. There are students that end up dropping out of college to pay off debt or go through lengthy loan modification in order to boost credit scores after graduation. Many employers check credit scores, and students that have had their credit score shot by cards have to put off their dream jobs even longer as a result.

The American Dream becoming a debt nightmare

The American Dream of going to college, getting a good job and making a start in this world is getting further out of reach for the middle class. It seems logical to address the spiraling cost of tuition.

Sources

CNN Money

Low mortgage rates doesn't mean you can get a mansion for pennies, but you can score a sweet deal with low interest loans. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

If you’re looking at buying a home, right now is the time to do it. There are, unfortunately, a lot of foreclosed properties on the market at discounted prices. Not only that, but a lot of people are looking to sell. There is also a lot of inventory to move. As luck would have it, mortgage interest rates for 30 year fixed mortgages are at an all time low. So if you want to get low interest loans for a home, now is the time. You may never even need mortgage modification at prices this low.

Mortgage rates hit record low

Currently, the interest rates on 30 year fixed rate mortgages are at the lowest point they have ever been on record. Freddie Mac has kept track of the data since 1971, and the current market interest rate for 30 year mortgages dropped this week to 4.36 percent from 4.42 percent, according to Bloomberg. Granted, these are low cost loans compared to several years ago, but the rates are not exactly on short term loans. After all, it is for a 30 year mortgage. The rate for 15 year fixed mortgages is at 3.86 percent. At this rate, 30 year mortgages will be at that rate by Thanksgiving.

Plenty of inventory to move

As of right now, there is a greater supply of homes on the market than there has been since 1983. The real estate market has a 27 year all time high supply of homes for sale. However, that usually means that fewer people are buying. According to Reuters, home resales are at a 15 year low, and more people are getting refinancing if they can. The unfortunate corollary to all this is that getting credit from money lenders is harder than ever, and the era of unchecked loans for bad credit for purchasing a home is completely over.

Buy low and sell high

However, if you have the credit and a down payment ready, this is the time to buy. In the right area, you could actually get into a sweet house for half the cost you normally would pay. At these rates, you may never need to refinance or even have to think about mortgage modification.

Further Reading

Reuters

Bloomberg

Biking to work can be for just about anyone, and Bike To Work Week is a great place to start. Image from TinyTall on Flickr.

Quick, how can you start to get in shape and save yourself $50 in just a week? Bike To Work Week. Bike To Work Month is May, and Bike To Work Week this year is May 17-21. Biking to work may seem like a crazy idea, but if you sit down to do the math, you might be surprised it makes economic and physical sense. You won’t need to visit a money lender to get started – just convince yourself to give it a try.

Why participate in Bike To Work Week?

Bike to Work Week is a national and international event created, in part, by the League of American Bicyclists. Bicycling to work can save you money and time, help the environment, and it can even help you shape up. Biking to work doesn’t have to be a lifetime commitment – even trying it out once or twice can be a good place to start.

Save time with Bike To Work Week

Your daily commute may feel like a long distance to go on a bike, but most commutes in the United States are between 8 and 12 miles. On a bicycle, trips less than 4 miles are usually quicker than in a vehicle. For trips between 5 and 10 miles, a bicycle and a vehicle take about the same amount of time. Even if you ride your bike slowly, you will probably arrive within 20 minutes of your driving commute time. If you are farther away, see whether your bus or subway or mass transit has bike racks – in all likelihood, they do.

Save money with Bike To Work Week

Even if your average commute is on the short end of the scale, participating in Bike To Work Week can save you money. Parking, fuel, vehicle maintenance, and time lost in traffic can all add up to a lot of money. Most estimates say that not driving to work can save an average person up to $200 a month – that’s $50 a week. Plenty of cash to fuel yourself with lattes instead of your vehicle with oil.

Save the environment and your health with Bike to Work Week

Bicycling instead of driving is good for the environment — that is pretty self-explanatory. Fewer miles driven, less time circling for a parking spot and less fuel used. It’s good for fuel prices too; lower demand means lower prices. The best part of biking to work, though, can be the good it does for your health. An average 10-mile commute can burn between 300 and 500 calories if you are “average” weight. If you’re overweight, you could be burning as many as 1,000 calories and all before you get to work in the morning.

Even I can do Bike To Work Week

If you are thinking of the 15 reasons you can’t participate in Bike To Work Week, just keep me in mind. I am not a lithe, skinny, in-shape bicycle enthusiast with a racing cycle. In fact, at more than 300 pounds, I am far from someone you might consider a Bike To Work Week participant. With my giant 3-gear cruiser bike and a basket on the front, I can make the 7-mile ride to work in about 45 minutes. There are no showers at my work, but deodorant and a nearby health club keep me decent for work. I can pack everything I need for the day in my backpack and in the basket, including my work clothes. I do still drive one or two days a week to run those long errands, but I don’t feel guilty. If this overweight, way-too-busy person can make an effort for finances, environment and personal health – why can’t you?

Tennessee flooding has displaced thousands, snarled transportation and killed several people after a storm dumped up to two feet of rain over the weekend. Flickr photo.

Tennessee flooding has left at least 11 people dead as parts of the state have been drenched with up to 20 inches of rain over the weekend. Tennessee flood warnings from the National Weather Service continue; however, very little rain is expected for the rest of the week. The Cumberland River swelled to 50 feet above flood stage Monday, and sewer overflow began to flood the streets of Nashville, closing supermarkets, money lenders and other businesses and forcing evacuations of schools, hotels and nursing homes.

Tennessee floods wreak havoc

Tennessee flooding is the result of a record-setting rainstorm that closed interstate highways, displaced thousands from their homes and turned city streets and parking lots into raging rivers. CNN reports that the storm causing the Tennessee floods also killed four people in Mississippi — three in tornadoes and one in a rain-related traffic accident — while at the same time state officials were making preparations for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to hit the Mississippi coastline.

Tennessee flood zones

Tennessee flood zones where rain hit hardest are in the southwest part of the state. In addition to the Cumberland River flooding in Nashville, 500 people were evacuated from two housing subdivisions, a trailer park and a nearby U.S. Navy base in Millington. Memphis received more than 10 inches of rain. Other Tennessee flood zones reported by Tennessean.com include Downtown Lebanon. The Tennessee Highway Patrol closed Interstate 24 in Davidson and Rutherford counties, Interstate 65 at Cool Springs in Williamson County and several sections of Interstate 40 in Hickman and Dickson counties.

Tennessee flood video

Tennessee flood video shot by Department of Transportation cameras showed cars floating down Interstate 24 westbound near Bell Road in Antioch as the concrete median held flood waters from nearby Mill Creek like a levee. Drivers and passengers jumped over the barrier and watched water turn their vehicles over and bounce them against one another. Water carried off a portable building from the bed of a tractor-trailer. It was demolished when it struck other vehicles. A Tennessee flood video aired on CNN showed an entire building being washed downstream.

The Cooper Union Foundation Building, where the Obama Wall Street speech took place. From Wikimedia Commons

As the financial reform bill is starting to make its way through Congress, President Obama went to Cooper Union College to speak, and the Obama Wall Street speech was full of requests for cooperation and change.  He asked for the Volcker Rule to be reinstated and implored Wall Street to cast off its  insular nature and mind the connection it has to the rest of the American economy.  A lot of people have been sent running for a money lender or to the unemployment line because of financial mismanagement.

Obama Wall Street address calls for reform

The Obama Wall Street address at Cooper Union College was attended by many Wall Street luminaries, and a full transcript is available from Reuters.  He called for common sense reforms and to curb the influence of lobbyists on regulatory bodies.  He also took Wall Street to task for being irresponsible.  He suggested some specific reforms were needed: the public needs more insulation from too-big-to-fail firms, greater transparency, more consumer protections and greater controls for shareholders.

Volcker Rule

Part of the financial reform bill is the instituting of the Volcker Rule.  Named for former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, the Volcker Rule is a proposed rule that would prohibit banks from certain kinds of trades or investments that aren’t on behalf of their customers, or from other kinds of risky trades. Critics have declared regulations would stagnate industry growth, but Obama countered that “unless your business model depends on bilking people there is little to fear from these rules.” (From USA Today.)

Defending and decrying bailouts

Included in the Obama Wall Street speech was a defense and denunciation of the bailouts.  The President maintained that bailouts were made because the risk of not doing so would be greater than doing nothing.  At the same time, he also said that “the American people should never have been put in that position in the first place.” He staunchly denied the notion that further bailouts would be on the table, as he made it clear that greater insulation from gambles on the market was needed.  The President clearly doesn’t want to give Wall Street another huge cash advance from the taxpayers.

Financial Reform bill passes the House

The financial reform bill, the features of which were part of the Obama Wall Street speech, has passed the House of Representatives, and a Senate bill is due out soon.  Republicans, and some Wall Street impresarios have opposed it, while others have said it won’t provide the right kind of reforms.

PBSKids helps sponsor events such as the Easter Egg Roll. Image from Flickr.

PBSKids is the official online resource for all PBSKids shows and games. The PBSKids website offers not only full-length video episodes of shows like Sesame Street, WordGirl and SuperWhy, it also offers educational games targeted for youngsters. The PBSKids website is free, though the PBSKids SuperWhy iPad app is $2.99 – either way, not so much PBSKids parents will need a money lender.

PBSKids Games

There are a wide variety of games available on PBSKids themed on the various shows for kids on the PBS network. There are fifteen PBSKids games available online, with even more at PBSKids Go. The games help kids learn everything from spelling and reading to puzzles, dress-up, health and nutrition, and even Earth Day worksheets.

PBSKids shows

The PBSKids website offers just more than educational games, though. PBSKids also offers PBSKids videos that don’t even require a small personal loan. The free videos cover the entire range of shows and clips that PBS kids shows involve. Sid the Science Kid, Curious George, Between the Lions and more.

PBSKids provides Earth Day Worksheets

PBSKids is also celebrating Earth Day; worksheets, videos and more available on the website. There is an entire set of PBSKids episodes available that talk about Earth Day. The Earth Day PBSKids website also has games that kids can play to learn about Earth Day and the best ways to celebrate it.

PBSKids companion websites

PBSKids is not the only PBS website that provides information and more. PBSKids has a companion PBSKids Go! website with games and shows targeted for older kids. PBSParents provides tools, suggestions, and information to help raise kids. PBSKids Play sets up educational games customized to your child in 25 different skill areas. Finally, PBSTeachers provides everything from Earth Day worksheets to videos to help teachers in K-12 education use PBS to help their kids learn.

The National Day of Prayer is advertised as a multifaith prayer event. Image from Flickr.

The rumors have been running rampant that President Obama has seen to it that the National Day of Prayer 2010 is canceled. However, the National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled rumor is just that – a rumor. Money lenders, tax collectors, Samaritans and people of every religion (or no religion) have no reason to get worked up. It is true that President Obama has chosen to not hold a prayer ceremony in the East Room on the National Day of Prayer 2010. However, National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled simply isn’t true.

National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled rumor

The National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled rumor has been running rampant on Facebook, Twitter and many blogs. The beginnings of the National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled rumors were in the announcement that President Obama will not be holding an official ceremony for the National Day of Prayer 2010. The official statement from the White House press secretary was that “Prayer is something that the president does every day.” As with last year, Obama is planning on signing the National Day of Prayer 2010 proclamation.

History behind the National Day of Prayer 2010

The National Day of Prayer was first established in 1952 by President Truman and was officially recognized in 1988 by President Regan. An annual observance “for people of all faiths,” the National Day of Prayer is organized by the privately funded National Day of Prayer Task Force, which uses money loans to help fund some national observances. While most presidents since Truman have held observances of the National Day of Prayer, a few have expressed concern that the National Day of Prayer may break the separation of church and state.

Who thinks National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled rumor is concerning?

The National Day of Prayer 2010 is not canceled. In fact, the National Day of Prayer Task Force will still be holding a Capitol Hill recognition of the day. The chairman of the privately funded organization released a statement saying “at this time in our country’s history, we would hope our President would recognize more fully the importance of prayer.” The White House has said that President Obama will be spending the National Day of Prayer 2010 recognizing “in his own life and in his family’s life, the role that prayer plays.”

Who thinks National Day of Prayer 2010 canceled should be true?

There are some groups that believe that “National Day of prayer 2010 canceled” should be a headline. The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a 2008 lawsuit that named the President, press secretary and state governors as defendants. The FFRF alleges that the National Day of Prayer 2010 should be canceled because it violates the separation of church and state.

Sources:

CNN
FFRF.org

All is calm

In an Associated Press report, Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Steve Rudahat said, “All is calm in the city of Los Angeles.” Calm may be a dramatic overstatement at any time  in Los Angeles, but the point is well taken: The quake was a small one.

No injuries or damage

Shortly after the earthquake, there were reports of damage to a portion of southbound Interstate 5 south of Downey, although that stretch of road is subject to heavy big-rig traffic. Damage in the same area had been reported yesterday and is believed to be normal wear and tear.  With a little help from money lenders and a few instant cash loans, that stretch of road should be good as new.

Low magnitude jolt extending over a wide area

In the realm of Southern California earthquakes, today’s was a small one, but it stretched over a large swath of land. The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program reports a 10-mile radius, spreading from San Bernardino County to Santa Monica.  Reports of the quake came from as far away as Watts, Sun City, West L.A. and Riverside.

Whittier fault line believed to be at fault

Some sources state that it has not yet been determined which fault was responsible for the quake, although Nowpublic.com reports that the quake struck along the Whittier fault line and that Cal Tech seismologist Kate Hutton describes it as a thrust earthquake, in which only one side of the fault line moves.

In October 1987, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake along the Whittier fault line killed eight people and caused more than $350 million in damage. According to Hutton, today’s quake may be a precursor to a larger seismic event, but the likelihood of a recurrence lessens as time passes.

What has transpired appears to be somewhat more than coincidental. According to The Atlantic, shortly after the House Ethics Committee was informed of Congressman Massa’s conduct during his Navy days, Rep. Massa announced his resignation.

Congressman Massa and his conduct

This isn’t to say that politicians don’t all have dirt to be uncovered. Far from it. But Congressman Massa is now under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly groping three young male staffers. Eric Massa has denied this, but his former shipmates are speaking out. That’s serious business – unless they were all paid off by pro-Obamacare as Mr. Massa claims!

Anybody want a “Massa Massage?”

That’s what fellow Navy men Peter Clarke and Stuart Borsch claim Congressman Massa used to call his special kind of military manner. Further revelations from Clarke included other allegations of inappropriate forms of physical contact, including “snorkeling.” I won’t be explaining that one, but I can tell you it doesn’t have anything to do with military personal loans

Dickert’s libel suit nearly brought Massa’s Navy accusers forward

But they did not come forward at the time. It sounds like quite a mess to me. If Rahm Emanuel is the “son of the devil’s spawn,” then who is Congressman Massa? The red-headed stepchild of Captain Bligh?

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Payday loans are hardly discriminatory. In fact, nearly anyone can reap the benefits from one as long as they have income that arrives with regularity. The amount that can be loaned depends on the salary of each individual, but money lenders can offer anywhere from $100 to $15,000 per payday loan. Some people consider the usual interest for a payday loan to be a bit stiff, but they pale in comparison to the penalty charges, like from a credit company, for someone who sits and does nothing.

Similar alternatives to a quick payday loan

Similar money loan alternatives to quick payday loans can be provided by credit unions, banks, government agencies and private companies. You must meet their requirements, however, and this involves jumping through hoops that may involve mounds of paperwork and more. Pawnbrokers are another alternative, but since they pay significantly less for the actual value of an item, they have been accused of ripping off their customers. Borrowing from friends or relatives is an option, too, but not everyone is so fortunate. Furthermore, the stress involved could strain important relationships.

A quick payday loan is the best option for many borrowers

Nevertheless, if you’re buried with debt, finding the right fast cash money lender right away may be your best and only option. A quick payday loan then seems like a financial lifesaver. Personal Money Market will help you find the perfect one!

Apply HERE for quick payday loans

An online installment loan is extremely beneficial in times of need

It may seem hard to try to get a decent money loan, but there are many loan lenders out there who will cater to your needs. Look no further than an online installment loan to secure your financial troubles in a quick and easy way, as they are experts in helping many people like you who need a grip on quick cash.

An online installment loan for people with bad credit is available

Bad credit should not be a reason not to get emergency money since everyone, especially the most hardworking individuals, deserves a second chance. Securing an installment loan for bad credit is not impossible with some research and ambition. The online installment loan process is quite easy, but do not assume that you know everything there is to know.

Installment loans can benefit almost everyone, but it is best to make sure that you are qualified for one, so check if you meet the following requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Have a minimum amount of regular income
• Have a social security number

Payday installment loans come in different packages. A frequent package allows for the loan to be extended to a long repayment term so that it doesn’t have to be paid off right away. Once you get some money, you can pay off bits of the loan at any time, as well. When loan lenders offer flexible repayment terms, they can extend help to you so that you save some money for yourself while waiting for your next payment. Additionally, most payday installment loan lenders don’t ask for any collateral, credit check, or paperwork. With a few clicks, you get your same day loan.

Go for a reputable money lender for your online installment loan

For a faxless, paperless, online installment loan without credit checks, make sure that you trust reputable money lenders, and Personal Money Market can help you do just that. So help is waiting for you, after all, on your cash-strapped days.

Start your installment loan application HERE!

Dressed and ready for Starbucks

“I don’t carry a gun to kill people.
I carry a gun to keep from being killed.”

From “Why I Carry a Gun,” author unknown

Gun control is a controversial issue in America, and the current legal case over whether Chicagoans should have the right to carry handguns in public has fanned the flames for both pro-gun and gun control advocates. The Supreme Court is getting involved and people are wondering which states are open carry states, because as OpenCarry.org puts it, “a right unexercised is a right lost.” Of course, it may not be as easy to convince the masses of this as it would be to sell lawmakers on the value of guaranteed loans.

What states are on the open carry states list?

Currently, only six states completely prohibit open carry. The following states are listed as “Gold Star” open carry states by OpenCarry.org. This means that “generally preempted open carry is permitted on foot and in vehicles without a license; localities are generally preempted.”

• Alaska
• Montana
• Idaho
• Wyoming
• South Dakota
• Nevada
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• Vermont
• Kentucky
• Virginia
• North Carolina

These states are open carry states, but with some restrictions

• Utah
• North Dakota
• Minnesota
• Iowa
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts

Other states may have their own open carry approximation. For instance, California allows open carry, but only in rural, non-incorporated areas. For more information, see this open carry states map.

Starbucks even has something to say about open carry laws

You wouldn’t normally associate the nation’s coffee house with open carry states or gun control, but Starbucks has become involved the debate over where people can carry guns, even though it has been against the company’s will. People had been coming to various locations with guns on their hips, which made some patrons nervous. Starbucks says that it adheres with state laws regarding open carry, but as a business, it does have the right to set its own policy regarding whether firearms are allowed inside. Money lenders or any other business will say the same.

Starbucks gun policy is something CEO Howard Schultz would rather not have to worry about, but The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is demanding that Starbucks “offer espresso shots, not gunshots.” The coffeemaker’s Seattle office received a petition with 28,000 signatures on Wednesday.

Neither side of the gun control issue is giving ground

This is exactly what one should expect when issues like individual liberty and personal safety are involved. Open carry states will likely remain so, but businesses tend to respond to special interest groups, particularly if they get corporate sponsors on their side. Thus, don’t count on being able to carry a holstered gun into your local Starbucks anytime soon, even if you live in an unrestricted state.

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Bleak Future

Detroit’s young adults, aged 30 and under, are bearing the brunt of the recession that the city is facing right now. This generation is facing job losses, wage cuts and or fewer hours at work. Even with the help of online personal loans, staying where they are does not appeal to them any more. They are looking for greener pastures and want to get out of the state. Detroit, the city of the big three auto giants, is no longer in a position where it can offer employment to its youth as they did in the past. The economy has been hit hard by the recession, especially in Detroit, leaving the youth disenchanted. Rather than stay in Detroit, youth are looking to borrow money via lenders or online personal loans and move out of the city.

Young Adults Facing the Worst

Looking at this scenario, we can see that a number of young adults are those who have been hit worst by this recession. 66% of these young adults face the prospect of not being able to find a job as compared to only 50% of older job seekers. Some of these young adults who were already employed had to face pay cuts and even a reduction in working hours, and with no second jobs available, they are now left wondering what is in store for them in the future. Frequenting the loan store for cash advances or using the internet for an online personal loan is not the solution that they want or need. Some of them may have taken this route, but the worry about getting a good job is still fresh in their minds.

Complaints, But No Solutions

Detroit was once a city that the nation looked to for employment for hundreds of Americans. The change that it is currently facing is going to affect the entire nation, due to the lack of jobs. With the recession, the state of Michigan is now faced with higher unemployment rates than other states are experiencing. Some are even saying that Michigan now has the highest unemployment rates in the nation, which has brought a sense of pessimism among the Detroit’s young adult population. They seem to have lost all hope that any changes will happen, and it seems that all of the complaints are connected with the rate of unemployment. However, no one sees any solutions in the near future for any improvements of this situation.

Moving to Other States

Young adults under the age of 30 who are unemployed are now going to states other than Michigan to find work, and are no longer convinced that the auto giant of the past still has a glory that can be revived. They will leave the state if no improvements are seen soon, and will not just sit around with an online personal loan and wait for the situation to change. They will more than likely crowd other cities that are facing similar problems and end up still unemployed. It’s not just the lack of jobs that is worrying them, but they are also facing continued stress over the lack of employment. This stress is causing many health problems and will need to find a way that will help have a better future soon.

Apply Here for an Online Personal Loan!

GMAC in Trouble?

The troubled auto lender GMAC needs more money, like everyone else does today, but on the last day of the decade; the federal government has agreed to bail them out with an additional $3.8 billion. This government is certainly kind, because even as they raise taxes and cut jobs, they have no qualms about giving big handouts to mismanaged companies. This comes at a time when unemployment benefits are needing to be reduced, sending the unemployed to money lenders for more loans.

GMAC Not the First

The troubled auto lender is not the first beneficiaries of a bailout. Bigger conglomerates such as Citigroup, Bank of America, General Motors and the insurance giant, American International Group, have all been getting bailouts. GMAC has already received $12.5 billion in federal aid as it grappled to hold itself together, but now, word has come out that they will get a further $3.8 billion from the government to help them stay afloat. As people read the news, or hear it on TV, they may begin to wonder if this mess will ever be sorted out. There was hope on Christmas Eve when the major banks decided to return the money they received, and there was even optimism that perhaps the worst was coming to an end. Banks had their reasons when they decided to return money received as a bailout. This was not money; they had received as loans from money lenders. This was a bailout provided by the federal government. Now comes the GMAC news on the eve of a decade change. Is this the end or the beginning?

Reason to Worry

The federal government has its reasons for offering the massive aid package to GMAC. As one of the largest money lenders to General Motors and Chrysler dealers for their customers, there is every reason to keep GMAC running. Attempts by GMAC to raise private capital on their own had failed, after which they approached the federal government. The question that now must be asked is: why do these companies not have to provide credit checks like everyone else? What is it that makes these companies eligible for federal aid coming from the taxpayer’s money, while the taxpayer himself must run to a money lender for a loan? While the tax payer will not definitely like it, they can take solace in the fact that there none of the aid is being spent on high wage executive salaries.

Things Need to Change NOW

The federal government will soon reach a position where they will have to call off further bailout packages and raise taxes to cover for the financial deficits of the major companies they have funded. They may be doing a good job at the moment in trying to shore up the weaker of these companies, but whether this will be enough will remain to be seen. Major changes cannot be expected though. With the economy recovering at just 2.2%, and unemployment figures expected to stay at 10%, the government will soon be helpless. They will have to bring in additional levies which will be a burden on the tax payer, but great business for the money lenders in times of acute recession.

Need a Payday Loan? Apply Here!

Photo from Picasa

Unemployment Benefit Claims Decrease

The labor department in Washington reports that unemployment benefit claims have been decreasing since September. Money lenders will be happy at the recent turn of events, as it means that people who want to take out loans now have jobs with a regular income. Those who are looking to borrow money will now have the security of knowing that they can pay back the loan when it is due.

Labor Department Claims Founded

The labor department has been keeping a close watch on the number of unemployment benefit claims coming in each month, and have seen a steady decline in the figures over the past four months. Latest figures available indicate that claims for benefits fell to a seasonably adjusted figure of 432,000, the lowest it has been since 2008. Economists expected the figures to stay at 460,000, but have been proven wrong this time. It also indicates that there are more jobs available in the market now compared to last year. Unemployment benefit claims had risen to 674,000 back then, and looking at the current figures, one can only hope that the future remains positive.

Companies Want to Create More Jobs

Economic experts report that 40,000 jobs were created in December after 11,000 jobs were cut in Noevmber. If this encouraging trend continues, those who are unemployed may be able to look ahead to a great year, and it will only ensure that people no longer must rely on unemployment benefits or payday loans to make ends meet. Companies want to create more jobs locally, rather than just look elsewhere to get cheaper sources of labor. After people have been supporting these companies through the worst of times, they now need the companies to support them through job creation and stability.

What’s In It For Me?

If you have a job, you can look forward to receiving a regular paycheck, making your life easier. If necessary, you can also apply for a payday loan to meet your immediate requirements that you may have. While this situation may not change dramatically for most people over the next few months, there are still people who must wait for a while before finding a job. The job market may look upbeat in Washington, but the story is not the same in the rest of the country. There are millions of unemployed people who are still seeking their unemployment benefits, which are putting state assistance programs in jeopardy. The Obama administration estimates that nearly 4.9 million people are still receiving benefits across the country. Therefore, it can be safely assumed that the decrease in unemployment claims is limited to a particular region of the country.

Hopes for a Good Year

If companies across the country use the example set by Washington and create more jobs, there will soon be a great increase in many more jobs across the country. More people will be employed, as well as spending more money, perhaps wisely. Should they fall short of funds at any time, there is always a payday loan available to help out.

Find the right Money Lender for you here!

Hacking into others' phones? Yep, unfortunately, there's an app for that. Image from Flickr.

SpoofCard is, put simply, a service that allows you to change the phone number that shows up on someone else’s phone when you call. It sells its services under the slogan “Be who you want to be,” and advertises itself as a tool to protect your privacy. It costs about 20 cents per use.

Seems pretty harmless so far, eh? Well SpoofCard also advertises that you can use it to prank call your friends. That’s a little questionable, but still OK if it’s all in good fun. Because no one would ever use a service for something it wasn’t intended for, right? Say, harassment or hacking into someone’s voicemail.

Yes, hacking

Sure enough, some people have figured out how to use SpoofCard to hack into people’s voicemails. Malicious people can use SpoofCard to hack into the voicemails of anyone whose number they know. That means people can listen to others’ messages, change their outgoing greeting, you name it.

In fact, if you were to take it even further, you could use services such as pizza delivery and money lenders who use phone numbers as people’s account numbers. Doesn’t sound so harmless now, does it?

SpoofCard malice and mayhem

Instances of maliciously using SpoofCard have started to pop up in the press. First it was reported that celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton had their phones hacked. Brickhouse Security reports that Dolce and Gabbana Publicity Director Ali Wise was fired from her job after she used SpoofCard to hack into people’s phones more than 700 times. Ahem, I said SEVEN HUNDRED TIMES.

And if that isn’t enough, guess what she was doing. She was hacking into the voicemails of her ex-boyfriends’ new girlfriends, listening to their voicemails and deleting them as she saw fit. Can we say psycho? Also, there have been instances of people using SpoofCard to disguise their numbers while making fraudulent 911 calls.

Yes, SpoofCard is still available. No, I am not going to tell you how to use it.

That's no message in a bottle. There's a light bulb ban on, and that's an enemy of green living. Destroy! (Photo: flickr.com)

This reminds me of when Americans were stocking up on firearms as the fear of Obama clawed at their hearts. Unfounded or not, when there’s talk that something people need or like is perhaps going to be taken away, people race to the stores and fill their arms with as many of the offending items as they can carry to the register and out the door. In a similar fashion, if governments begin to crack down on small-scale consumer money lenders, you’ll see a drive for loans before the fall.

But what about the light bulb ban?

According to the New York Times, the European Union (EU) has restricted the sale of incandescent bulbs across Europe in an effort to combat global warming and save energy. Now shops can’t buy or import incandescent frosted glass bulbs; retailers are being allowed to sell out their stock. The United States and Canada expect to follow a similar path by 2012. We’ll see. I’m not sure how much faith I have in America’s ability to do anything quickly, unless it’s Cash for Clunkers (and that was done TOO quickly).

C’mon, America. Australia and Cuba have already done it. Do you want Castro to bask in the harsh glow of fluorescents before hard-working American citizens? Well, perhaps you do… perhaps it will be more effective than the exploding cigar the CIA once considered. In his current weakened condition, perhaps the harsh glare will push him over the edge.

The current move is on to switch incandescent bulbs out for fluorescent (CFL) bulbs or even LED lighting. The former use around 80 percent less energy and do not burn out as quickly, but the lighting is harsh and the individual bulbs are much more expensive (as much as 15 to 20 times more expensive than one incandescent bulb. Sure, they’ll save a family in the long term. But in the short term, when families need all the recession help they can get, spending $15 on a CFL bulb can be prohibitive.

What about the mercury in CFLs?

Environmental mercury is a concern many have over the light bulb ban and switch, which makes the EU light bulb ban a kind of test case for what the U.S. and Canada may experience. CFL bulbs contain mercury (a toxic metal element), and as the EPA direction sheet shows, cleaning up mercury is no simple matter. If a bulb breaks, you have a lot of work to do. Is energy efficiency and reduced problem of incandescent bulbs in landfills worth the chance that excess mercury is entering the atmosphere? Plus, entire industries will be crippled by this changeover. Some will adapt, many won’t. Workforce displacement is definitely a factor in the debate. If they are hired in lower paying jobs and need some help from money lenders, they can click the button to apply here.

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Stephen Russell of ANEC, an EU consumer product safety standards group, said that the allowed limit for mercury in CFL bulbs is too high. Currently five milligrams are allowed per bulb, but EU officials would like to see that reduced to two milligrams.

This says nothing for aesthetics

From photography to reading to interior design, lighting plays an essential role. This light bulb ban creates a definite strain upon EU citizens’ ability to capture images, read and be comfortable in their homes. From my point of view, CFL bulbs are horrible, but perhaps a necessary evil until LED lighting becomes more affordable for the general public. As you can see from the video below, LEDs use around a quarter of the electricity of fluorescents. However, where CFLs may cost around $15 per bulb, the cheapest LED home light bulbs are closer to $100 in America as of this writing.

So the Swedes have come up with a mercury-free CFL option, eh? Leave it to the creators of IKEA to set the tone. But it looks a bit dim… (Photo: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2751088844_3e4f74549e.jpg)

Some argue that CFLs also don’t stand up to the wear and tear of being turned on and off regularly. In fact, some studies show they expire before some incandescent bulbs under those conditions. In response to this, various EU officials have recommended halogen bulbs. However, environmental groups believe those should have been banned along with incandescent, as they’re similarly wasteful.

The light bulb ban also doesn’t address the mental health issue. There are those who suffer from epilepsy and anxiety who depend upon incandescent lighting for normal function. By comparison, CFL bulbs can cause adverse effects.

Clear incandescent bulbs OK until 2012

EU officials want this to be gradual, so 60-watt clear incandescent bulbs will be available until September 2011, while 40-watt will be around until 2012, says the Times. The United States and Canada have similar plans for gradual phase out. But after that time, if CFLs aren’t an option, LED lighting will have to be more affordable for the average consumer.

Turn on your heart light

Let it shine wherever you go. Yes, I’m talking the Neil Diamond song about E.T. It takes some heart to make the right choice for the environment in this light bulb ban fracas. Sure, incandescent bulbs are more convenient in the short term – and the quality of light is definitely better. But what must happen is that we must press manufacturers of LED lighting to produce it more cheaply. Whatever legislation and research is necessary to make this happen needs to commence or be augmented, because CFL bulbs are not a viable option. People may have mercury fillings in their teeth and justify CFL bulbs on those grounds, but we don’t know what the long-term effects of mercury in teeth will be. I would wager it isn’t exactly harmless. If it means I’ll need to contact money lenders to find money for LED lighting in my home, I’ll consider it. But please, throw the people a bone.

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