Is it natural to restrict consumer choice? (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/NAME/DownSouth.us)

Payday lending has been outlawed in Arkansas since 2009, but that hasn’t stopped some consumers in need from looking to online payday loans funded from outside the state. Unfortunately, freedom of choice isn’t viewed kindly by Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, reports the Arkansas News. McDaniel’s office obtained court orders barring two online payday lenders from issuing loans to Arkansas residents.

Arkansas has a 17 percent APR cap

Payday lending laws in Arkansas specify that interest be capped at 17 percent APR, a far from tenable rate, as numerous independent studies have shown. The online payday loans in question charged 300 percent APR, which is not out of the question in the industry, although the numbers are deceiving because the loans are not 12-month loans.

Kansas-based companies Geneva-Roth Capital and Geneva-Roth Ventures, which do business online under the banner of Loanpointsusa.com, were named in one judgment. The companies agreed to stop issuing payday loans to Arkansas residents, cancel about 700 pre-existing loans in the state, give up more than $700,000 in claims and pay the State of Arkansas $60,000 in legal fees.

The second judgment, against Kansas-based Arrowhead Investments (which also transacts as Galaxy Marketing), forced the company to stop issuing Arkansas payday loans, abandon $44,370 in claims against 162 Arkansas residents and pay the state $30,000.

All payday lenders involved were required to withdraw negative credit marks against any Arkansas borrowers.

Legislating against the people

Regarding payday loan laws in Arkansas, one might wonder why it was deemed necessary in the first place to restrict consumer choice. While they didn’t have payday loans specifically in mind, two very famous men had poignant things to say about unjust laws. Indian independence leader Mohandas Gandhi once said that “An unjust law is itself a species of violence,” while U.S. civil rights figure Martin Luther King, Jr. said that “An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust … is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.”

While the two men were not addressing the concept of payday loans specifically, their message is clear. Unjust laws can be injurious. The conflict exists between federal and state law, as payday loans are a legal consumer finance product on the national level. The same holds true for most states, which makes one wonder why Arkansas consumers need such protective guidance from their nanny government.

Sources

Arkansas News

Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies

Loanpointsusa.com

Mortgages are far more a debt trap than a payday loan could ever be. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

It is almost impossible to prove that such a thing exists as a payday loan debt trap. Like many social issues, the truth is a lot more complex than many would like to admit. For instance, it is true that a lot of people who borrow money from payday lenders take out multiple loans. However, it has not ever been proven that people are taking out new loans to cover their old ones, which is called a rollover.

The debt trap myth

The contention that payday loans trap a person into an endless cycle of debt has never been proved. However, a 2005 study found that many payday borrowers indeed did borrow money multiple times per year. One study found that 29.6 percent of payday borrowers surveyed had 14 or more loans in the previous calendar year and 9.9 percent took out two or fewer, but 28.1 percent had no renewals or rollovers. However, no study has ever ascertained why chronic borrowers, less than half of all payday loan store customers, borrow money with such frequency.

Lender of last resort

The reason why payday loan lenders exist is that they will loan to people that no other loan lender is willing to take a chance on. All a payday lender looks for is the ability to repay, not credit scores. The reason why people go to payday lenders is that they have nowhere else to turn to. A 2009 study of payday loan demand shows the number of people who borrow from multiple sources of credit is 91.6 percent. Johnathan Zinman found that 70 percent of the payday borrowers he surveyed either were not aware of or had no alternative to borrowing from a payday lender.

Credit has risks

Some payday advance customers borrow frequently. However, consider also the debt trap of credit cards and mortgages. Few people ever will own their home outright, as few people stay in the same house or city for long enough. Because more money is lent by banks and credit card companies, those debt traps are legitimate according to social crusaders. That is some severely fuzzy logic. You can read more in the Payday Loan Facts and Statistics report on Personal Money Market.

Payday loans can be cheaper than the few alternatives there are. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

There have been claims that payday loans come with too high a price. However, payday loans are actually cheaper than the alternatives. For instance, a payday loan can be far cheaper than paying the minimum payment on credit cards. A cash advance on a credit card can build a lot of interest over time. A short term loan from a payday lender can be far lower than the interest on an overdraft charge. It also goes often unmentioned that banks and credit unions don’t all offer a payday loan type product because they can’t afford to.

Low interest loans compared to overdraft

Say a person goes into overdraft thanks to a debit card policy that automatically allows the overdraft at the point of sale or the ATM and charges a fee even if it’s only over by $1. If that customer incurs a $35 overdraft charge to borrow just $1, which is paid off the next day, that fee works out to 1,277,500 percent interest. A common charge of $35 per overdraft is the fee assessed by Wells Fargo and Bank of America, two of the world’s largest banking organizations. That makes payday loans some incredibly low interest loans compared to overdraft fees.

No viable alternative

Banks and credit unions don’t have a real alternative for payday loans — for a reason. They can’t afford to. A study by Victor Stango revealed that not only were credit unions not able to offer lower prices on payday products and break even or profit, they were also hampered by not having hours or locations as convenient as payday lenders. Only 6 percent of all credit unions nationwide offered any sort of personal loan alternative to payday loans. Banks and credit unions also have more stringent requirements. There aren’t many loans for bad credit available at mainstream institutions.

Predators or innovators

The thing about payday lenders is that they went into a market where no one else would go.  Not only that, they succeeded. As result, they get called predatory lenders. Read more facts and statistics in the new payday lending industry report on Personal Money Market.

What are the requirements to get a New Mexico payday loan?

1. You need to be 18 years old or older to apply
2. Must be a legal U.S. citizen
3. Employed for the past three months and currently working
4. Have a valid social security number
5. Must be a legal U.S. resident

How can I contact the loan company for any questions?

Go to the lender’s website and find their contact section. There you can find the agency’s number, mailing address and e-mail information. Use any of that information to contact the loan company directly.

How much money can I get from the payday lender?

The most money anyone can get for a short-term payday loan is $1,500, but in some cases, you can even get a personal loan of up to $2,500. The amount of money the average person gets is about $1,000. It is calculated by the individual loan agency using the information you submit on your application and the amount of money you make at your current job.

Can I be in the military and still get this loan?

Being in the military does not disqualify you from getting the loan; you have the same opportunity as a civilian does.

Where can I get cash today?

You can apply for a New Mexico payday loan here, right below this article. All you have to do is fill out the short application form that takes less than five minutes to fully complete.

Start your New Mexico payday loan application HERE!

Online loans are fast

Applying for online loans is fast, private and secure. In many cases, a payday lender can deposit cash to your bank account in just a couple of hours.

• Loans of up to $1,500
• Quick, easy and hassle-free
• Credit check typically not required
• Bad credit, no credit and bankruptcy history accepted
• One short application finds the best payday lender
• Convenient, automatic repayment

Online loans are short-term

Online payday loans are a form of short-term credit. One of the best things about online loans is that they’re paid back quickly so you aren’t saddled with months of payments. Most online loans are paid back in one automatic deduction from your bank account on your next payday, but if you need more time, installment loans are also available. If you need more time and you have credit problems, installment loans for bad credit may be the answer.

Online loans make good sense

Anyone who struggles with money — and really, who doesn’t? — knows what it’s like to come up short of cash at the most inconvenient times. If you need money now and can get by on your next paycheck after paying back a cash advance, an online loan makes good sense. The cost of a quick payday loan can be much less than late-payment fees or bounced-check charges, and the peace of mind is worth every dime.

Online loans are available right now

When you need to borrow money, don’t wait for problems to spiral out of control. Instead, save yourself added headache and hassle by applying for an online loan sooner rather than later.

Need fast online loans? Start your application HERE

Customers have responded to the payday cash loans Cash Store Financial has to offer. Its rising stock price reflects consumer approval. (Photo: ThinkStock)

Payday loan companies like Cash Store have faced a great deal of legal opposition in their quest to provide payday cash loans for consumers. Much of the flak has come from consumer interest groups with lobbyist connections to elected officials. They claim to represent the best interests of consumers in their opposition to such outlets as CEO Gordon Reykdal’s Cash Store. However, if payday cash loans were so damaging to a consumer’s finances, it would seem logical that they’d avoid the product. Yet as a recent The Globe and Mail article suggests, Reykdal and Cash Store Financial are a popular choice in Canada and abroad.

Cash Store holds 34 percent market share on payday cash loans in Canada

For most CEOs, the connection with day-to-day business decisions at such places as Cash Store would be minimal. However, Cash Store Financial CEO Gordon Reykdal is far from uninvolved. He doesn’t sit and wait for money to roll in and allow underlings to make all the tough decisions. On the contrary, Reykdal is heavily invested in Cash Store; he owns a quarter of the stock, according to The Globe and Mail. Not only has Reykdal ensured that Cash Store Financial would play an active role in the community (see video below), he played an active role in urging the Canadian government to clarify the laws regarding payday cash loans and how payday loan companies can offer them. His efforts helped payday lenders and the government find a workable middle ground where consumers and lenders can still benefit from reasonably profitable lending transactions without the threat of exploitation. The rules will apply in every Canadian province except Quebec, where payday cash loans are prohibited.

Growth into other services for the underbanked

Cash Store understands that a significant percentage of Canada’s population is effectively “underbanked.” Much like in the United States, many people do not have the credit standing to take advantage of small bank loans or are outside the traditional banking system for a variety of reasons. That’s why Gordon Reykdal would like to see Cash Store Financial branch out into the field of banking services for its large customer base. Simple services, such as as taking deposits, go a long way toward improving a consumer’s financial portfolio in situations where they either do not trust traditional banks or encounter barriers that prevent them from using traditional banks. In the fragmented payday cash loans environment that defines much of Canada, Cash Store has a responsibility to its customer base to serve their financial needs when traditional banks refuse to do so.

Cash Store is a good investment, says The Globe and Mail

Payday cash loans and related laws have become clearer with time. Canada and the UK have come to workable solutions that have appeased both the industry and lawmakers. The United States, with its bureaucratic legislative morass, has yet to find such a middle ground. One result of this could be that consumers already harmed by the recession continue to find it difficult to obtain credit when they experience financial need.

Sources:

The Globe and Mail

Related Video:

Whatever the reason, when you’re short of cash until payday, a quick payday loan can make all the difference.

Quick payday loans are quick!

When you apply for quick payday loans at Personal Money Market, everything is done online. There’s usually nothing to fax, no phone calls to make and no need to leave your home or office. It takes just a couple of minutes to complete your application, and as soon as you do, Personal Money Market matches you with a reputable payday lender offering the best loan for your individual situation.

You’ll know right away whether your loan request is approved; there’s no waiting or wondering. In many cases, funds can be deposited to your bank account in as little as two hours.

Quick payday loans are easy to pay back

Most payday loans are paid back in one automatic deduction from your bank account on your next payday. You don’t have to bother mailing a check or paying online. If you’d prefer to make several smaller payments over a longer period of time, you may be able to qualify for an installment loan — or better yet, an installment loan for bad credit.

Quick payday loans are easy to understand

If you know you can get by on your next paycheck after paying back a small cash advance, a quick payday loan can be a great way to budget your expenses. Unlike credit cards, you can’t overspend, and there are no unwelcome surprises later on when the statement comes. With a quick payday loan, you’ll know right up front how much money you have in the bank, how much the loan will cost and when it will be repaid.

Quick payday loans are the way to go

• No credit check
• Bad credit, lack of credit or bankruptcy OK
• No faxing
• Loans of up to $1,500
• Private, secure, hassle-free application
• Convenient repayment
• Quick money, quick peace of mind

Start your quick payday loan application HERE!

How to finance home improvement: Seven possibilities

Breaking a larger concept down into smaller parts makes it much less daunting; that includes how to finance home improvement. Here are your seven steps to solving the home improvement finance riddle.

1. Use cash

Fox Business reports that historically, about 65 percent of homeowners who invest in home improvement pay cash for the job. It’s simple and there are not interest fees with which to contend. However, a large cash outlay can certainly make it more difficult to pay other bills if you aren’t careful. Considering that as many as 85 percent of today’s homeowners finance home improvement with cash, even more people are budgeting carefully.

2. Use credit cards

Josh Frank, a senior researcher at the Center for Responsible Lending, reminds that revolving interest can keep you in debt for some time. Even the lowest credit card APRs are about twice the rate of standard home loans and home refinance loans. Furthermore, miss a couple of payments and your interest rate will skyrocket to 30 percent or more. If you must use a credit card, don’t use the card’s cash advance feature, as the interest rate for cash advance via credit card is much higher than the standard credit card APR.

3. Use personal loans

Whether you go to a payday lender, a bank or a credit union, unsecured personal loans may be available, depending upon your relationship with the institution and your credit score. In the case of a payday lender, however, having good credit is not required for personal loans. According to Steven Rick of the Credit Union National Association, such personal loans (aka signature loans) can be either higher or lower in rate than credit cards. Thus, it pays to shop around.

4. Use home equity loans

As the housing bubble has burst, standards for home equity loans have increased. With an excellent credit score, you may be able to get up to 90 percent of your current home’s value in a fixed-rate 10-to-15-year loan. Expect rates slightly higher than a mortgage (by a point or two), says Fox Business. Fixed-rate loans make long-term budgeting much easier when you’re trying to decide how to finance home improvement projects. Be wary of variable rate loans, as they typically will not go lower and usually will only increase, particularly if you have difficulty making payments on time.

5. Use a HELOC

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) sets up an account where the money is there for home improvement if you need it, rather than coming to you in a lump sum as with a standard home equity loan. Look for a fixed rate, rather than a HELOC with a variable rate.

6. Use an FHA remodeling loan

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

7. Use contractor financing

Terms will vary wildly here, but if you can get a fixed rate, no points loan with no other hidden fees, a contractor loan can cost anywhere from 5 to 11 percent. It depends upon your credit score as well as how much you trust the contractor. Do your research.

Sources

Fox Business

Related Video:

Ogden, Utah, has capped the number of short-term lenders allowed within city limits. Image from Flickr.

A ordinance passed by the city council of Ogden, Utah, on Tuesday puts a restriction on the number of payday lenders, title lenders and check-cashing companies allowed in the city. This new ordinance is not as stringent as the Ogden Planning Commission recommended. Current payday lenders in Ogden will not be affected.

Ogden, Utah, payday lending ordinance

The ordinance the council passed Tuesday limits the number of in-city, short-term-loan businesses to 15. This ordinance will affect payday lenders, title lenders, check-cashing companies and short-term loans companies. These businesses will also not be allowed to open “within 1,000 feet of a similar business or within 660 feet of a pawnbroker or sexually oriented business.” Finally, all businesses will be required to display a sign explaining that short term loans should not be used as a general financial strategy. Other provisions of the ordinance were removed before it was passed, including a limitation on the color schemes on the exterior of buildings.

Effect on current payday lending businesses

Currently, within Ogden, 21 businesses fall under the ordinance. The new ordinance will not require any of these businesses to close. Instead, no new short-term loan businesses will be able to open until the number drops below the 15-store threshold. Any new stores that open under while this ordinance is in effect will be required to fulfill the placement and signage requirements.

Arguments regarding payday lenders in Ogden

There was heated argument within the Ogden City Council before the new ordinance was passed. The Ogden Planning Commission had recommended the number of lenders be capped at eight. Some members of the Ogden City Council believe that these businesses “disconnect residents from traditional banks,” which they believe harms economic development. On the other hand, payday lending customers and council members point out that the service payday lenders provide can be very useful for residents living paycheck-to-paycheck, and that not being tied to a traditional bank can sometimes be a positive thing.

Benefits of a payday cash loan

• Online application is quick and hassle-free
• Typically no credit checks
• Damaged credit, lack of credit, and bankruptcy okay
• Installment loans for bad credit available
• Convenient and private
• No driving, no waiting in line, no faxing
• Instant matching with the best payday lender for your situation
• Loan deposited directly to your bank account
• Funds available in as little as two hours in most cases

Find lenders who specialize in payday cash loans

Today it’s next to impossible to get a small unsecured loan from a traditional bank, but Personal Money Market makes it easier than ever before to find experienced and reliable online lenders specializing in payday cash loans. Personal Money Market networks with reputable online lenders and instantly routes your application to the lender offering the best terms for your individual situation.

It’s quick and easy to get a payday cash loan

It takes just a few minutes to apply for a payday cash loan, and there’s no waiting around for an answer. You’ll find out right away whether your loan request is approved. Payday cash loans of up to $1,500 are available; bad credit isn’t a problem; and funds can be available in as little as two hours.

A payday cash loan solves so many problems

There are as many reasons to get a payday cash loan as there are people who need money. Every situation is unique, but anyone who needs cash today and can pay it back on payday can solve money problems right now with payday cash loan.

If you’ve ever had trouble paying bills after a period of unemployment or a wage reduction, you know what it’s like to need cash right now even though payday is just a week away. Anyone who’s ever had an uninsured medical emergency or an unexpected car repair knows what it’s like to really need cash, too. Maybe it’s just an approaching birthday or holiday that has you worried, but whatever your situation, a payday cash loan can solve the problem.

A payday cash loan gets you back on track

Whatever kind of money problems you’re facing, a payday cash loan can get you back on track very quickly. The few minutes it takes to apply are well worth the peace of mind that comes from resolving financial issues right now.

Start your payday cash loan application HERE!

Many Wall Street banks and firms have argued against the Financial Reform Bill. Image from Flickr.

Late this week or early next week, a Financial Reform Bill summary is due to be debated in the Senate. To get a good idea of the Financial Reform Bill summary that will regulate everything from a payday lender to the biggest banks, it is possible to put together a financial reform bill summary of both HR 4173, the House bill that was passed last December and S 3271, the Senate bill that will debated this week. Keep in mind that this Financial Reform Bill summary could change during reconciliation, though the broad strokes will likely remain the same. This article covers HR 4173, the House Bill. For a full Financial Reform Bill summary of the Senate bill, see Part 2.

Financial Reform Bill Summary | HR 4173

HR 4173 is the House of Representatives Financial Reform Bill. This financial reform bill originated in the House Financial Services Committee and is generally known as the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. A full text of HR 4173 is available in PDF form on the U.S. House of representatives website.

Financial Reform Bill HR 4173 summary | Consumer Protections

First, a Consumer Financial Protection Agency is set to be a separate Federal agency focused solely on decoding, regulating, and ensuring the safety of U.S. financial product consumers. The day-to-day functionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency might include creating disclosure standards, working for consumer education about personal loan companies, and examining the details of new financial products.

Anti-predatory lending laws and mortgage reform would also be included. A standard that borrowers must be able to repay the loans they are sold would be instituted. The role of credit rating agencies would also be addressed, and credit rating agencies would be given some liability for their ratings.

HR 4173 Financial Reform Bill summary | Stability and Investing

The Financial Stability Council would be an “inter agency council” charged with identifying what financial firms are especially risky. The Securities and Exchange Commission would also be given stronger investor-protection powers.

Financial Reform Bill HR 4173 Summary | Too Big To Fail

Firms that are considered “Too Big To Fail” would no longer be given taxpayer dollars to keep running. Instead, the Financial Reform Bill would create a system for dismantling financial businesses when they start to fail. In short – no more bailouts for big companies.

Summary of HR 4173 | Investors Say on Pay

HR 4173 would give shareholders of a company a “say on pay” of the executives of a company. While the vote would only be advisory, regulators are also given the ability to ban “inappropriate or imprudently risky” pay packages. In other words, no more executives getting paid millions for running their companies into the ground.

HR 4173 Summary | Derivatives

The “derivatives” market would be regulated for the first time ever. A financial derivative is a product developed from another product. For example, the “mortgage-backed securities” were a financial product derived from residential mortgages. Any “derivative” product with “substantial risk” would be monitored.

Financial reform bill summary | Private Pools Investing Money

Hedge funds and private equity firms – the businesses who are in the business of investing with private money – are not currently regulated. Under HR 4173, a “private pool of capital” – a group of people that pool their money to invest it – would be examined for risk by the Financial Stability Council.

Financial reform bill HR 4173 | Office of Insurance

Finally, the Financial Reform Bill HR 4173 would create a unified insurance regulatory agency. Rather than insurance companies being subject to multiple sets of rules, a single Office of Insurance would monitor, regulate, and report on the insurance industry.

This is a summary of the Financial Reform Bill that passed the House of Representatives as HR 4173. See a full summary of Senate bill S 3271 in S 3271 | Financial Reform Bill Summary Part 2

Sources:

Reuters
Daily Finance
OpenCongress.org
Wall St Journal

Will Scrabble soon be sporting new rules? Image from Flickr.

If you are a Scrabble fan, please sit down. Breathe, relax, and imagine a game board that includes a gentle mix of vowels and consonants. Relaxed? Good. Mattel has announced that the rules of Scrabble are changing — kind of. The BBC reported that the rules of Scrabble will now allow proper nouns like names and payday lender companies. However, these new rules will not apply to traditional Scrabble. The new rules of Scrabble will instead apply to a new game called Scrabble Trickster.

New Scrabble Rules – not in the U.S.

The American Scrabble Association (yes, there is one) was rightfully quite concerned when the new Scrabble Rules announcement came out. However, after a flurry of phone calls, director of the Association John Williams has confirmed that the new Scrabble Rules will not apply to the traditional game. In fact, Scrabble Trickster is not currently slated for release in the U.S. – only for England.

Mattel vs. Hasbro Scrabble Rules

In the U.S. and Canada, the rights to Scrabble are owned by Hasbro. The rules to the game have not changed in the more than 50 years since the game was first released. In England, the rights to Scrabble are owned by Mattel, which  makes everything from toy cars that practically require auto loans to board games. Mattel originally reported that it was changing the rules of Scrabble without specifying that it would be for a new version of the classic game.

Playing Scrabble with your own rules

Of course, one of the attractions of playing with a classic Scrabble board include that you do not have to follow manufacturer’s instructions. “House rules” of Scrabble include many different variations. “Wraparound” Scrabble allows words to wrap top to bottom or left to right at the edge of the board. Double-letter Scrabble combines the letters of two games into one board. Short or Long Word Scrabble specifies a minimum or maximum length of word that can be used. And yes, some players do already allow proper nouns when playing Scrabble – but all players in the game must agree.

Preparing your own traditional Irish meal, like corned beef and cabbage, is a great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Image from Flickr.

St. Patrick’s Day is  Wednesday. Are you hoping to make the Irish-American traditional corned beef and cabbage, or are you looking for some more traditional recipes for this St. Paddy’s Day? No matter how you are planning to celebrate, you shouldn’t have to contact a payday lender – Irish fare can be very quick and inexpensive to prepare.

Corned Beef and Cabbage – the Irish-American Tradition

Look at just about any celebratory menu for St. Patrick’s Day, and you’re likely to see a corned beef and cabbage special. Corned beef is simply a brine (salt and sugar water) cured beef, usually made of the brisket cut of the cow. Corned beef did not actually originate in Ireland, where beef and salt were an incredibly rare and expensive delicacy. The various Irish famines also made it very difficult to raise cows, which would have consumed much of the grain that Irish families could eat themselves.

However, when Irish citizens began to immigrate to the United States, they discovered that beef and salt were much less expensive than the bacon joints they used in their traditional dishes – and took a cue from Jewish immigrants on how to prepare this dish. Since the 1800s, Corned Beef and Cabbage has become the Irish-American version of the original Bacon and Cabbage.

Corning your own beef for corned beef dishes

You can purchase corned beef in packages, especially around St. Patrick’s day. Rather than spending the $4.99 a pound that corned beef usually costs, however, you can save yourself from getting payday loans no credit check by corning your own beef. It will take a few extra days, so you will need to start today to have it ready by St. Patrick’s day. You will need:

• A 4-6 pound beef brisket, which you can usually find for $1.50 a pound or less
• 2 1/2 cups kosher salt
• 2 cloves crushed garlic
• 2 tablespoons pickling spices
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 16 cups (1 gallon) water

First, trim the fat on the beef down to about 1/4 of an inch or so. Rub the meat with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the salt, covering it in a single layer. Press the garlic, pickling spices, peppercorns and bay leaf into the salt rub. Set the meat into a large container, either a flat dish or bowl that can easily hold the gallon of water.

In a large pot, boil the gallon of water with the remaining salt and sugar. Stir the boiling mixture until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. Pour this brine over the meat. Weigh down the meat with a heavy plate, and cover the container. Set it in the back of your fridge for 2-5 days. At the end of the 2-5 days, pull the meat out of the brine and rinse the meat.

Preparing corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day

If you would like to stick to corned beef and cabbage as your meal-of-choice this holiday, you’ve got several options for cooking it. The easiest thing to do for a working family is cook your corned beef and cabbage in a crockpot. Take a large crockpot and layer a sliced medium onion, a pound of sliced carrots, a pound or two of sliced red potatoes, and a whole (about 4 pound) corned beef brisket. Fill the crockpot with water or beef broth, and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours.

If you’ve got a bit more time, try pan-roasting the beef brisket. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a heavy frying pan until it’s very hot. Sear the meat on all sides, using a BBQ fork or meat fork to turn the brisket. When the brisket is done (use a thermometer to read the internal temperature – 140 degrees is done), set it aside and cover it with foil. Slice a whole head of cabbage and saute it in the still-hot pan for 2-5 minutes, or until soft.

More traditional dishes for St. Patrick’s Day

If you’ve gotten a little sick of corned beef and cabbage every St. Patrick’s Day, you might want to try a few other Irish dishes to celebrate this year. Soups are a traditional option, as they were usually very easy to make, and helped stretch out ingredients to serve even more people. Parsnip and Apple soup is a great traditional, yet unusual option. Irish Potato Soup (or really, any potato soup) is thick, comforting, and perfect for a cold March day. Irish Soda Bread is also a quick-to-make and incredibly tasty match for whatever meal you may choose to make this St. Patrick’s Day. No matter what you decide to make, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day could never be tastier!

This system of borrowing money gives you a second chance to erase your financial worries, if only temporarily. Some people assume that borrowing from a payday lender leads to total financial ruin. In fact, the total opposite is true since as long as you are responsible with your repayments, a payday installment loan can help you get your finances back in line.

Tips to become a more responsible borrower

Borrowing money from a payday loan company should not be thought of as a hard inconvenience, but instead should be regarded as a useful assistance in your time of need. To avoid getting into deeper troubles with money, though, you must first learn to become a responsible borrower. The consequences of lagging behind on short term loan payments are not the fault of the payday loan lenders and they should not be blamed if you have huge interest to pay. Whether you borrow from a payday installment lender, a bank or a credit card company, if you do not manage your loan correctly, you will hardly benefit at all in the long run.

The following are steps you can take as a borrower to avoid any problem with your payday installment loan:

• Pay promptly every due date
• Make sure you are paying the principal, too, and not just the interest
• Always get in touch with your payday lender if you should fail to pay on time
• Record all of your transactions and update your installment account to prevent oversight

Payday installment loan facts and myths

What everyone should learn early here is that getting a great deal on a payday installment loan is not a myth, but a fact that can truly help borrowers pay off their IOUs. This system of paying is particularly created for money loan borrowers who find it difficult to pay on time while giving them ample time to come up with money.

Now that short term installments are available for payday loans, there should no reason for you not to consider applying for your payday installment loan.

Apply here for a payday installment loan

Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D) calls it “investing in America.”  After a 70-28 vote in the Senate, the $15 billion Democratic jobs bill to stimulate job creation has passed with 55 Democrats, 13 Republicans and two Independents saying yes. Considering just how far the American workforce and their pay day loans have to come, that $15 billion is considered to be “modest in scope,” as the New York Times puts it.

What will the jobs bill do?

Our recent coverage of the jobs bill referenced Fox News, which broke down the $15 billion bill into $13 billion in payroll tax breaks for employers who start hiring workers unemployed for 60 days or more; $35 million for “small business depreciation”; $2 billion for infrastructure bonds; and a highway bill extension.

Bipartisan support suggests it could speed through the House

This is turn would mean that the jobs bill gets to the president’s desk quickly. The only way Americans will be able to stimulate the economy long-term is if they are employed, so the current jobs bill comes at just the right time.

Newly elected Republican Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts – a man who has attracted no small amount of controversy – was vital to the process of pushing the jobs bill through the Senate. While he doesn’t see the jobs bill as being perfect, he understands the importance of obtaining assistance for unemployed Americans as soon as possible. But if the House sends through a version “full of pork, waste, fraud and abuse,” Brown told the Times he’d vote against it. That’s the kind of “progressive Republican” that makes Glenn Beck’s flesh crawl.

Harry Reid is happy about the result

“We have a jobs agenda, not a jobs bill,” the Senate majority leader told the media. “We’re going to have more votes, and create more jobs.”

At this point, any opportunity – from astrophysicist to payday lender – is a good opportunity.

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Where should I get a payday loan?

There are hundreds of companies out there that specialize in short term loans, payday advances, and fast cash. When you need quick cash, it is important to remember that not every lender is the same. Remember to ask these three easy questions to ensure you get a payday advance that fits your needs.

How quickly will I get my money?

There are some payday lenders that might make you wait 24 hours or more while they manually verify your information – not an easy wait when you need a payday advance. Instead, work with lenders that can get you your money in as little as two hours and verify all your information electronically. This way, you get your cash quickly, often times without a credit check and without the need to fax paperwork back and forth.

Is my personal information safe?

Applying for a payday advance can mean providing all kinds of personal information. It is important that you make sure your lender protects your personal information with strong encryption (128 or 256 bit). Some online payday advance companies may not encrypt your information – so apply only where you know your information is protected.

How much should I borrow?

When taking out a payday advance, it is important that you borrow only as much as you can easily pay back on your next payday. Payday advances are designed to be used responsibly, when you just need an extra helping hand. If you need more money than you can pay back on your next payday, try getting a personal installment loan instead of a payday advance.

When you need money quickly, it is important to take an extra few minutes to find out more about the payday advance lender that you are choosing. Make sure that they can get you your money quickly, keep your personal information safe, and offer you only as much as you can pay back easily. If you are confident in the answers you find about your payday lender, you can be confident that your payday advance will go smoothly.

Need a Payday Advance? Apply Here!

Image from Flickr.

Have you ever taken a server’s wine recommendation at a restaurant, and then wanted to know more about it after tasting it? Google Goggles could be the answer to this quandary. If your smartphone runs on the Google Android operating system, you could snap a photo of the bottle, and Google will conduct a search.

The Google Goggles page at Google Labs has several other suggestions for how to use Google Goggles, such as getting more information on landmarks, album covers, books, works of art and restaurants. You can even snap a photo of someone’s business card instead of typing their name into Google. For now, Google Goggles is only available on Android, but if a lot of people use it, it likely will become more widely available.

Google Goggles scenario

Google Goggles technology uses text recognition, so if you wanted to know whether a payday lender had a good reputation, you could snap a photo of the sign on the building and get information about the company. This could come in handy, as a lot of payday lenders have similar names and it’s easy to get them confused.

However, Google Goggles can recognize the specific company logo and likely get you more accurate information. This same concept will help when your friend thinks a local restaurant is part of a chain or you want to know where a product was made.

Check out Google Goggles video

The makers of Google Goggles made a short video that explains how you can use Google Goggles to recognize and call phone numbers. The video also talked about the current limitations of Google Goggles and how they plan to develop the technology further in the future.

You can watch the two-minute video on Google Goggles at the Google Labs site. Here’s a partial list of phones that run on Adroid and thus can take advantage of Google Goggles:

• HTC Bravo
• Motorola Opus One
• Droid Slate
• HTC Touch.B
• Zii Trinity
• Samsung Behold 2

You can read about all Android phones at Androphones.com.

If you want to use plastic without overspending, get a payday advance and use your debit card.

Just when you could really use it, you run out of cash. You scrape together enough money to pay the mortgage, and the home insurance bill comes in the mail. You might be able to let that slide until next payday, but then, just for good measure, the car won’t start. Naturally, your kid takes this opportunity to remind you that his karate class fees are due tomorrow.

Payday advances can help you avoid credit card debt

When money is tight, it can be tempting to use credit cards. But when you’re living from paycheck to paycheck, credit cards make it very difficult to stick to a budget. If you charge just a couple hundred dollars a month and pay the minimum payments, you’ll soon find yourself swimming in debt. Before long, you’ll run up a debt that will take years to pay off.

Applying for payday advances is absolutely hassle-free

It’s quick and easy to apply for online payday advances. At Personal Money Market, it takes just a few minutes, and in many cases funds can be deposited to your account in as little as two hours. You can apply for payday advances of up to $1500, and the minute you do, Personal Money Market connects you with the payday lender that best meets your requirements. You don’t have to fax anything or even pick up the phone. Best of all, there’s no credit check.

Payday advances are easy to pay back

Most online payday advances are paid back on your next payday in one automatic deduction from your bank account. You don’t have to bother to write a check or remember to pay online. Sometimes you can qualify for an installment payday advance that lets you make several smaller payments over a longer period of time.

Payday advances can help you avoid overspending

Next time you’re short of cash, consider applying for an online payday advance instead of using a credit card. A payday advance doesn’t drag on the way credit card debt does. When you get a payday advance instead of using a credit card, you can’t accidentally overspend: You know exactly how much money you have available. And compared to credit cards, there are no surprises: With payday advances, you know exactly when the debt will be paid off and exactly what it will cost.

Payday advances can get you through to payday

Borrowing should never be undertaken lightly. (That’s the problem with credit cards – it’s just too easy to forget that every purchase is a loan transaction.) Any form of credit can be misused, and a payday advance is no exception. But it’s completely possible to get the benefits of a payday advance without digging yourself into unmanageable debt.

Before you apply for a payday advance, ask yourself this question: After paying this back, can I get by on my next paycheck without having to borrow again? If your answer is yes, a payday advance is the ticket to your next paycheck.

APPLY for Payday Advances HERE!

Image from greyhoundsinseattle.blogspot.com.

I hate to say it, but if you are trying to get a job right now, you are up against stiff competition. Although the economy has shown signs of improvement, unemployment is stable at best and in many states increasing. It is definitely an employer’s market out there right now. Employers have plenty of choices now — many of whom are over-qualified but willing to work for lower wages than usual.

So if you are looking for a job right now, you must find ways to make yourself stand out. Your cover letter is your first chance to make an impression on your potential future employer, and you know what they say about first impressions. Make sure your cover letter is quick but killer by using these five tips.

1. Give examples to back up your claims

You can list off your “positive attributes” all you want, but unless you give examples of your “strong communication skills” or “excellent leadership abilities,” the cover letter reader has no reason to believe you. You wouldn’t believe that a payday lender had the best personal loan rates until you actually saw their rates, would you?

Use real life examples to show your skills, but make sure you keep it brief. Pick two or three of your best skills to focus on, and then keep your examples to one or two sentences. That brings me to my next tip.

2. Keep it Short

More people in the job market means more cover letters to read. Keep your cover letter to one page to ensure that the potential employer reads the whole thing. The best cover letters are four paragraphs. As you already know, one of those paragraphs should be examples of your strongest skills. One paragraph should also address the employer directly and address the exact specifications the company is seeking.

3. Keep it 50-50

In fact, your cover letter should be just as much about the employer as it is about you. Include what you know and like about the company and why you want to work for that company based on what it does. If you can directly quote the qualifications the employer is looking for and then give real-life examples to show that you have those qualifications, that’s ideal.

Don’t include things about yourself that have nothing to do with the employer’s needs. If the employer is looking for a good writer, don’t waste his or her time talking about your college scores in calculus.

4. Edit, edit, edit

Not only does it make you look uneducated when you make spelling, grammar or punctuation errors in your cover letter, it makes the employer think that you are careless and unmotivated. Anyone who doesn’t even bother to edit their cover letter for mistakes or ask someone with more grammar knowledge to edit it for them doesn’t come across as being very serious about the job.

Everyone has a friend or family member who is good with grammar and punctuation and, you know, words. Even if the job you are applying for doesn’t require writing, a perfectly spelled and punctuated, grammatically correct letter will show that you are serious.

5. Formal business letter format

It’s very important to use formal, business-letter format in your cover letter. Remember when you learned that format in high school? Remember to not indent paragraphs, and instead leave a line space between each paragraph. You should start off with the recipient’s (employer’s) company name and address, then put the date you wrote or sent your letter, then your own contact information including mailing address, e-mail and phone number.

Nordstrom has come to stand for customer service in a way no other chain of stores ever has. Originally a shoe store, Nordstrom first opened shop in Seattle in 1901 and grew into the largest independent shoe chain in the United States. The chain expanded into the clothing market in 1963, but it wasn’t until a man in Fairbanks, Alaska, walked into a Nordstrom store to return his used snow tires – and got his refund with no questions asked – that Nordstrom became synonymous with customer service.

Spurious or not, further discussion about the snow tire legend must wait until I’ve hit upon the reason why Nordstrom is such a hot topic on Google Trends today.

At the Anniversary Sale, some of the affordable fashions are not apocryphal

The much-anticipated Nordstrom Anniversary Sale begins today. You already know to do this, but I am obligated to remind you: Get a head start on your shopping by applying online today for a small loan from a payday lender. If you prefer not to drive, stand in line, and feel the press of humanity hunting for bargains (or if you’re simply afraid to leave home) you can shop at the sale online, too.

The Anniversary Sale, which runs through August 2, is your chance to pick up a new fall wardrobe, get yourself a fabulous new pair of boots, add some cute shoes to your current collection, and buy those new fall handbags and accessories you’ve been drooling over. According to the advertisements I’ve seen, you’ll find discounts on new merchandise for fall, including True Religion jeans for women at $189.99 ($297 after the sale) and Rock & Republic jeans for men at $159.99 ($250 after the sale). I realize that if you do the math, this claim is at odds with the foregoing sentence, but sale items are reputed to be 40 to 60% off.

At the Rack, all of the fashions are affordable every day

If something seems amiss in my suggestion that you get an instant payday loan so you can save money at the Anniversary Sale, you may be a candidate for shopping at the Rack. Pedestrian as it appears – it looks more like a flea market than an upscale department store — the Rack is loaded with deeply discounted Nordstrom fashions all year long. With luxury and boutique shopping on the wane, Rack outlets stores are all the rage.  Several new stores are slated to open soon in Texas, Minnesota, California, Florida, Ohio, and Colorado.

Getting Back to Used Snow Tires . . .

Nordstrom has never sold tires, but some sources claim that the tale about the snow tires is true. According to Pamela Abramson in “Nordstrom’s High Style,” (Newsweek, 1987), in 1975, Nordstrom acquired three stores in Alaska from the Northern Commercial Company, which did sell tires, and converted them into department stores. So when the customer, who had purchased the tires from Northern Commercial, brought them back to the newly converted store, the return was accepted.

The details don’t matter

There is, of course, much inconsistency about the details of this oft-cited customer service legend. Sometimes it’s a tire, other times a set of tires. Sometimes it happened in Fairbanks, other times in Seattle. Sometimes the customer says nothing about why is he returning the tires, sometimes he claims he bought them there, and other times he simply says they did not “stand up properly.” Sometimes the amount of his refund is $25, sometimes $145, other times $125 per tire. Sometimes the clerk saw the price on the side of the tire, other times he simply asked the customer what he paid for them, but a receipt is never involved.

The customer is always right

Originally the company denied the account, but according to Bill Kossen in “Success Came a Step at a Time for Nordstrom,” (Seattle Times, 29 May 2001), John Nordstrom said he was there when the tire was returned to a Nordstrom store operating out of one of the converted tire stores in Alaska. He said the customer seemed a bit confused but sincere, so the employee gave him his $25, thanked him for coming in, and invited him back to shop.

Among the many problems with the details of this story, however, are that Nordstrom didn’t acquire the tire shops until 1975 and John Nordstrom, co-founder of the Nordstrom department store chain, died in 1963. The discrepancies may not really matter. What does matter is that in every version of the tale, the customer is always right.

And Moving On to Shoes . . .

Some sources claim that you will find draped dresses in hues like sapphire and ruby, leggings, luxurious faux fur, chic thigh-high boots, ankle booties and hardware embellishments with a rocker edge at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Others limit their predictions to leather jackets, vests, dresses and accessories that incorporate current trends such as menswear-inspired details. But the discrepancies don’t really matter because in any version of the sale, there are lots and lots of shoes!