Daily Note: June 2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The Best of Get Rich Slowly: June 2009

Get Rich Slowly keeps humming along! Thanks to your participation, it was another great month around here, with a lot of interesting discussions. I’ve managed to collate most of the results from the recent reader survey, by the way, and will share them with you in a few days. Meanwhile, here are some of the best posts from the past month:

June 1st: Where we’re starting from
June 2nd: The lazy way to investment success
June 7th: The loneliness of the long-distance debtor
June 11th: 25 essential books about money
June 16th: Online banking: 13 choices for high interest rates
June 19th: How to handle a windfall
June 22nd: Remnants of things past
June 24th: My sister’s keeper: Sharing financial goals with an accountability partner (a guest post from Kinley Levack)
June 25th: The first three steps to financial freedom

The blog isn’t the only part of this site. If you have burning questions about personal finance, one of the best places to get answers is the Get Rich Slowly discussion forum.

The forums are a great place to chat with your fellow readers. Have questions about emergency funds? Ask! Want to chat about cheap vacations? This is the place to do it. The forums have 3200 registered users and over 38,000 posts.

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This weblog is a success because of you and your support. As always, I welcome reader contributions, either as ideas for stories, or as guest entries. If you have any comments or requests to improve this site, please feel free to pass them on.

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Related Articles at Get Rich Slowly:

Celebrity Pitchman Billy Mays is Dead

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Farrah Fawcett. Michael Jackson. Now Billy Mays. The chain of death continues; we have lost a television celebrity whose infectious passion for what he did made something as insignificant as an infomercial worth watching. Billy Mays loved what he did, and his presence will be missed. No Billy Mays death jokes, please. The man used his personality to sell product and make money. If you learn to do what this man did, not only will you not need payday loans for fast cash, but perhaps youll grow a healthy dose of respect. Some heard that Billy Mays was dead via Fox News. I first read the news on TMZ.com, a site that is beginning to scoop all the other news outlets out there when it comes to news about celebrities. Sadly, TMZ has confirmed that Billy Mays was found dead in his Tampa, Florida home. His wife Deborah had discovered him morning and could not revive him. Billy Mays was 50 years old.

For more information on this article and others like it, please click on the following link:Personal Money Store: Billy Mays is Dead

For the Love of Useless Junk, Adventure

A trash odyssey sorts it out

Are you a pack rat? Do you collect piles and piles of things that have no real purpose, other than to sit in their proper places and be yours? Sometimes people form sentimental attachments to their things that no garage sale can remedy. Once they run out of room in their homes, some even go to the expense of renting a storage unit for their useless junk. Some people are beyond hope, spending more money on trinkets than their budget can easily bear. Payday loans and cash advances become a part of their daily li ves, but for the wrong reasons.

If you’re in this situation, it could be that your possessions own you, rather than the reverse. If you aren’t able to get it in check yourself, I suggest professional help. However, one of the benefits of being a purveyor of useless junk is that Karen Hawes might pay you a visit. She is a self-proclaimed “trashtronaut.”

Blasting off for adventure

Jeff Richardson of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that the 40-year-old Hawes decided it was the right time in her life to embrace trash. In an effort to see all the trash this nation has to offer, she opted to begin a great journey. Alaska, her state of birth, would be the jumping off point into a filthy world of fascinating, useless junk.

So she loaded up her Honda Element and struck out north from California. This was in May. For the next 10 months, Hawes will explore dumpsters, landfills and salvage yards in order to learn about people and the things they leave behind. The journey will span two continents, ending in Argentina. Will that be in Maria Belen Chapur’s yard? Perhaps Mark Sanford left his sanity there. If so, a trashtronaut can find it. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "For the Love of Useless Junk, Adventure"

Monday, June 29, 2009

Mint Map: Resource Consumption by Country

Knowing where resources are produced is only half of the equation. To really understand the role that natural resources play in a country’s overall economic picture, you have to understand how those resources are consumed. As you’d guess, the largest populations do tend to be the largest consumers, but it’s interesting to note that some consumption is based on the manufacture of products for which the country’s residents are not typically the end consumers. Which country will be the first to run out of oil or natural gas? Which will be forced into building more environmentally friendly transportation systems or means of production? Our latest map takes a closer look at the world’s resources with an eye to how they are being consumed.

Click to enlarge the map below:

The Right Direction Starts With the Right Decisions

Over the years, I’ve found that people end up in financial trouble not only because they don’t have enough money. It’s also because of poor decision-making.

Not Settling for Mediocrity

didnt forget sound effects

Good Morning!

I feel uninspired at the moment.
I wrote and deleted and wrote and deleted.
My ink is dry.
There is no post today.

Speaking of this, what happened to refusing to deliver mediocrity when you aren’t at your best? I miss that in people. How about you?

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Related Articles at Personal Finance Blog by Money Ning:

A Painless Way To Hold Down Health Costs?

While opponents of the overhaul proposals currently under consideration warn of long waits for care or draconian cuts to payments to doctors and hospitals, some experts say slowing the growth of health spending doesn’t have to hurt. “You can deliver high-quality care for far fewer resources if you organize your processes right,” says one expert.

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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Survey: Millions Forced To Rethink Retirement

A survey by Watson Wyatt Worldwide Inc. shows that in the past year, 44 percent of workers age 50 or older have had to delay their retirement date. Three-quarters of those now planning to postpone retirement cite the loss of savings in their 401(k) accounts as the single biggest reason.

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Friday, June 26, 2009

Farrah and Michael Die, Ark of the Covenant Revealed

Breaking the seventh seal

In a single day, America lost two titanic pop culture icons in Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. For one, release came after a painful, protracted battle with cancer. For the other, death came without warning in the form of cardiac arrest. For both the deceased, friends, family and legions of fans worldwide have taken time to remember the legends - and the private people who lived them. Such ultra-celebrities have scant room for private lives. If they needed unsecured loans for fast cash, everyone would know.

Even bishops in Ethiopia know something is up. That must be why they’ve chosen now of all times to reveal the Ark of the Covenant to the rest of the world.

“…dogs and cats, living together…”

Hillel Fendel reports for Israel National News that an Ethiopian church leader claims the Ark of the Covenant has been concealed within his church in the city of Axum for centuries. Rumors of it being located in the city have circulated for some time, but this is the first time there has been talk of someone revealing it there. Copies of the vessel have been found in many other Ethiopian churches.

Abuna Pauolos, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, paid a recent visit to Rome and Pope Benedict XVI. While in Rome, Pauolos made his announcement to news media. He announced his full intentions at a press conference this morning in Rome. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Farrah and Michael Die, Ark of the Covenant Revealed"

Late Night Tournament | Jimmy Fallon to Challenge Tiger Woods

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Tune in tonight on the Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon to watch the best golf tournament ever! The ever-so-funny Jimmy Fallon of the Late Night show will tee-off against Tiger Woods in a round of golf on the Nintendo Wii. Jimmy Fallon is determined he will beat the infamous golf player and is betting his skills with the Wii-mote will be greater than Tiger’s talents with a virtual putter or driver. Well, you get what I mean. Apparently the infamous Tiger has granted Jimmy’s wish to challenge in a match on some “Tiger Woods 10″ golf on Wii. According to Fallon, it’s the only way he’d ever stand a chance.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

When I was young, my family was on a vacation

We went on this really long road trip. I was sitting in the back seat and had a blanket over me. It was a little cold in the car with the air conditioning. I had to go to the bathroom really bad. I started yelling to my mom that I needed to go to the bathroom. They didn't pull over fast enough. Finally I threw up all over myself. My family looked back at me to hear me say I didn't have to go to the bathroom anymore. That has been held over my head ever since. I will never be able to get away from that. It is this really big family joke. I am glad they are getting a good laugh out of it. I got to love my family no matter how much they make fun of me.

My niece is dating

My niece went on a date last night with a boy she really liked. They went to a restaurant and got shakes because it was kind of late for dinner. While she was trying to eat her shake, he said something that made her laugh. She accidently spit the shake in his face. The waiters and waitresses all laughed really hard at the situation. This was my niece's first date with him too. I thought it was a pretty funny story she will remember forever. Luckily, he asked her out on another date. Maybe that means he didn't mind having shake in his face too much.

The song fever is quite entertaining

I love how he talks about how girls are always supposed to give guys fever. I think it is funny when he starts talking about Romeo and Juliet. He says thou givest me fever which I thought was pretty funny. Then he talks about how Pocahontas saves the life of John because she loved him. Then he talks about how the girl he loves is supposed to give him fever because that just proves that they love each other. I thought it was a funny song. I especially like blues dancing to it. It is a perfect song for that.

Whoever invented juice in a pouch was a genius

It makes it that much easier to make lunches for my nieces and newphews every day. I make them a sandwich, throw in a bag of carrots or another kind of fresh vegetable, and give them some kind of snack. Usually I will put in a string cheese or something. I try and give them a pretty healthy lunch. The pouches of juice make it that much easier. Instead of having to fill up a water bottle with water or juice I just have to grab a bag of juice out of the fridge or pantry. It makes it that much easier to make them a lunch. They also like the pouches of juice a lot better than water bottles full of water.

Spokane Hoopfest Brings Bling to Washington State

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As Illinois kicks off the worlds largest outdoor food festival, Eastern Washington’s claim to fame, Spokane Hoopfest, begins Friday.Every year at this time, the City of Spokane and basketball fans from all over are thrown into a tizzy. Restaurant owners schedule extra staff to handle the crowds. People travel from all over to compete. Spokane Hoopfest is the worlds largest three-on-three basketball tournament. Spokane is commonly referred to as a mid-size metro and has a population of about 450,000 in the city and surrounding areas. However, that number grows significantly during Spokane Hoopfest. Basketball enthusiasts book hotel rooms months in advance. Although some Spokane residents chose to stay home to avoid the crowds, Spokane Hoopfest brings in a huge influx of instant money for hotels, retailers, restaurants and plenty of other businesses.

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

Mario is the best video game ever

I love playing it or even watching other people play it. It is the best people ever. It is fun because there are so many different types of games that Mario is a part of. There are also other characters like Luigi available to play when you play most Mario games. There are role playing games and other games as well. I kind of like the role playing games just as much as racing games or other ones. I really like super Mario sunshine and paper Mario. I could play paper Mario all day every day. It would be so much fun to play it for so long.

Quails bathing in the water

As I look outside the window, I gaze down and see two graceful and lovely quails, bathing in water, as the sun glistens on the lovely blades of grass. And see a boy who has a crush on a sweet little girl, give her a flower and she smiles. And then my heart smiles as if I was touched by himself.

As I blazed my eyes upon the outskirts of my window and see two bland and grey pigeons bathing themselves in the dirty muggy and muddy water ,that the mischievous kid gave that girl. And I then I saw the yellow, dry grass that many kids trampled, like my heart.

Kansas EZ Payday Loan Store Robbed Twice

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Employees of EZ Payday loan in Kansas City report that a man fitting the same description robbed the store Saturday as well as earlier that week. Witnesses say the man who stole about $2,000 from the business Saturday was 5 feet 8, wearing a long-sleeved blue button-up shirt and blue jeans. The man was black and wearing a yellow bandanna. The amount of cash taken earlier in the week is undisclosed.

For more information on this article and others like it, please click on the following link:Personal Money Store: Kansas EZ Payday Loan Store

Discover Miles Card: Rewards / Travel Credit Redemption Info

Well, looks like I’ve squeezed all the free money out of another credit card offer. This time it is the Miles Card by Discover. It used to have a good 12-month no-fee 0% balance transfer offer, but has recently added a balance transfer fee. However, it does offer 0% on purchases for 6 months.

In addition, this card still offers a sign-up bonus of 12,000 Miles. You get 1,000 Miles each month you make a purchase for 12 months. A mindless way to get the points is to sign the card up for automatic billing of your cell phone bill (or similar bill).

Discover Miles Redemption Options

However, the Miles you earn with this card are not affiliated with any airline. So what’s one of these special Miles worth? The wording is very vague, and not until you already have the card do you get the details. So here they are…

The most efficient way to redeem is for travel credit. You can redeem 10,000 Miles for a $100 cash credit towards any travel purchase (airfare, hotel, car rental, cruise) from any vendor or website. Now that I’ve actually done the redemption with my Hotwire purchase, I am happy to report that it was hassle-free.

You simply charge the purchase to your card, and request the credit online. The system automatically checks that you have a travel purchase, and approves the request. In a few business days the $100 shows up in your account:

Other redemption options
The alternatives are not that great. If you travel at all, I would wait and go with the travel credit.

Gift cards. 7,000 Miles gets you $50 gift card at stores such as Macy’s, Gap, or Shell gas stations. You can also redeem 4,000 miles for a $25 gift card.
Cash. 5,000 Miles gets you $25 deposited into your bank account.

Double Miles & Other Promos
For most purchases, you get 1 Mile per dollar spent. The default feature of the card is that you get 2 Miles per dollar on the first $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases each year. There is also a rotating category each month. For example, you get double miles on up to $500 in purchases at gas stations throughout June and July.

Even with the double miles here and there, this is not a top rewards card. However, you can still extract $100+ out of it with no annual fee, plus you get 0% interest for 6 months.

Here are additional credit cards with sign-up bonuses of $100 or more.

Goals Bring About Real Results

Do you have a 5-year financial plan? What about just a general idea? Do you know where you want to be financially in 25 years? Have you ever set a financial goal? If you decided you wanted to save $5,000 this year, could you do it? Far too often we get into situations where we let money control us, instead of being in control of our money. Learning to set and achieve goals is one of the simplest ways to achieve the financial freedom you’re seeking, but it might be one of the hardest as well.

A goal, a purpose, and a plan

A 5 year financial plan can sound like a daunting challenge. Most of us have trouble staying within our monthly budget (it’s those darn Jelly-Bellys), and trying to find the time and and energy to draw up a plan can be difficult. The good thing is, your financial plan or goals can be as complex or as simple as you’d like. You can simply decide that you’re going to save 10% of every paycheck, or that you’ll take your lunch to work three days a week.

Don’t cut back just for the sake of cutting back, though – have a purpose. If you cancel your cable to save money, save that money! If that $90 just cycles back into your monthly budget you’re reducing your expenses for nothing. You can use that extra money to pay off debt, or to save up for a new purchase. You could pay off your car, or buy the latest season of 24. See how easily a purpose can become a goal?

Motivation

A purpose and a goal provide an important factor that comes into play when you’re making a change in your life – motivation. If you don’t want to do something, it’s harder to do it. Spending is a habit for some people. It’s difficult to break habits. But now you have a carrot on a stick – your goal. You can weigh everything you want to do with your money with what you really want. If you’re not sure if you want something, compare it with how much you want your goal. Which one do you want more?

Put a visual reminder of your goal somewhere where you can see it every day. If you want a new dress, print out a picture and tape it on your fridge. My wife and I have our savings goals charted on a piece of paper on our bedroom wall. Every time I want something I head over to that chart and see how much closer we’d be to our goals if I would save that money instead of spending it.

Your Goals Become Your Guides

Now that you have a goal, and you’re weighing different ways to achieve it, you’re formulating a plan. That didn’t take very long, did it? In its simplest form, a plan is really just a collection of goals, and how you’ll achieve them. Short-term goals have smaller plans, and long-term goals can have elaborate plans. You can control a plan by limiting it to what you need to succeed.

If you’re trying to save up for a down payment on a house, your plan should include what you’ll do to get to that point. Not eating out once a week so you have money to save up for a TV is good, but it’s not a part of that plan. Your mini-plans and big plans (your goals) can help you determine what in your budget is a need, and what is a want. It can help you learn to moderate your spending and to make better financial decisions. If you want to retire in 10 years, you’ll think twice about buying a $100,000 boat if you don’t have the money for it.

Don’t Give Up

Now, a word on goals. If you set a goal and don’t reach it when you want to, or struggle and want to give up, don’t. You can always achieve your goals, you just need to re-think them and re-commit yourself to achieving that goal again. Just because you splurged and spent more than your budget or had some unexpected problem that threw you way off doesn’t mean you can’t try again.

Our financial strategy is goal-driven, and it’s brought success, happiness and peace of mind. We still have rough spots, but we’re more equipped to deal with them and can minimize the damage. Learning to let your purposes become goals and plans will help you on the road to financial independence.

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

Goals Bring About Real Results

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

His heart was pounding

As he walked down the stairs, he noticed something he never had before. Down in the far corner of the room there was a tiny wooden door. He stared at it for a while, wondering whether he should venture toward it or not. Finally, he decided that he would not give in to his curiosity for the fear that his cat would be killed. But just as he was starting back up the stairs, he thought he heard a noise coming from the other side of the strange door. Now he just had to take a look at it, a closer look. He started toward it. His heart was pounding. He was sure he had seen the doorknob turn. He froze, silently debating whether to go on or not. Suddenly, the door flung open. There stood a furry little creature with a long tail. The man feinted, for he absolutely could not stand the sight of even the smallest mouse. The mouse on the other hand simply looked around and then went back inside his home, back to his couch and fireplace and his book titled "Ways to Skin a Cat".

Crooked Houses: Playful Yet Pricey Fun For Kids

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Thanks to some oft-repeated product placement, playhouse retailer Kids Crooked Houses is about to get slammed with business. That is, of course, if people can afford them. Kids Crooked Houses are beautiful, fun, imaginative playhouses for kids. However, if you want the type you saw on Jon & Kate Plus 8″ last night, youll need a lot more money than you can get from a quick payday loan.

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

Snoring is so interesting

People can snore really loud or really quietly. Sometimes people don't snore at all. Sometimes people have really loud snoring like my dad. My dad snores so loud. Sometimes I think that the whole house is shaking because of the snoring that he is doing. It is pretty much awesome. Some people sound like they are choking when they snore. That is usually a little worrisome. You don't want people to choke and you are scared that they are dying. Sometimes people snore just breathing out or just breathing in. It is really funny to listen to people snore.

I hate traffic

It makes me so mad to have to sit in it. It is understandable when there is traffic because of a car accident or something to that extent. It is when there is traffic just because a couple of cars in the front decided that they wanted to drive really slow that is when I get mad. I hate it when people decide they want to control the roads on their own. It is okay for someone to drive slowly because they are nervous about it or because they don't want to speed. It is not okay for someone to be in the fast lane driving slowly. That is what causes such congested traffic. If people understood that it would make things so much easier for me and for the cops who want to pull over people who speed.

I love running

The other day I was trying to decide whether I like running on a treadmill or outside better. I really like running outside because you have natural hills that challenge the run. On a treadmill it is all easy to run. There is nothing that needs to be dodged on the course and nothing that makes your trip harder. When you are outside you get to see the beauty of nature and when you are on a treadmill usually you watch TV or movies. It is supposed to make the time go by faster but it just makes things happen slower. It isn't all that much fun. It is okay though. I will still run both courses.

Don't Handle Your Creditors Like Lenny "Nails" Dykstra

Nail down debt, don’t run for cover

Lenny Dykstra was one of my favorite baseball players. He combined speed, hustle, plate discipline and a near-fanatical desire to destroy his opponents on the baseball field. They called him “Nails” for a reason.

Like numerous other athletes, however, Dykstra took the unfortunate slide into financial ruin after his days on the field came to a close. For many, this happens because they never learned how to handle their money and their spending habits begin to outpace their income. Lenny Dykstra was successful in business for a time, but similar bad habits and (according to a recent HBO feature) aggressive disregard for reality and financial obligations. Now he’s living in a fantasy world where everyone else is at fault.

Don’t be like Lenny Dykstra, people. Pay your debts. If you need a little help to keep from going into debt due to a small situation that could cause big trouble if left unchecked, consider a cash advance or online payday loan.

(Not) workin’ at the car wash

Mark Kram reports for the Philadelphia Daily News that a new episode of HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” will feature an update on a story they ran back in March of 2008 on former Philadelphia Phillies star Lenny Dykstra. As correspondent Bernard Goldberg will remind us, the outfielder-turned-businessman has been the target of 20 lawsuits that have come as a direct result of his apparent dirty dealings and deadbeat ways. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Don't Handle Your Creditors Like Lenny "Nails" Dykstra"

Dealing with death

Today in one of my classes I had a student stay afterwards and ask if she could talk to me. She told me that one of her best friends had died and she didn't know what to do with herself. I felt so bad for this young girl. I told her that everyone had to die at some point. I promised her that her friend was somewhere better now. She said she was glad to hear that from someone. I guess her parents were just as heartbroken as she was and didn't want to talk to her about it. I don't know how you are supposed to explain to a fifteen year old girl that life goes on even after other people die.

I hate line dancing

It is so annoying. You have to memorize all these moves and do it with everyone else. That is why I don't really like country dancing very much. So much of country dancing is line dancing which drives me nuts. I don't want to spend so much time in a line dancing. It isn't very much fun. I like dancing with a partner better than standing in a line. That way dancing is a little more personal. Country dancing is okay if it is two steps or triple step. I just don't like being in that line and having moves called out to me to do.

I love being home again

Whenever I go to visit my parents I feel like I'm at home again. I never get the chance to be home with them. It is weird because ever since I've been in college the only place that really felt like home was my home with my parents. Everywhere else always just felt like it was only a momentary place. My spouse and I finally bought a home and it still doesn't feel as much like home as much as when I go home to my parents. It is nice just to have that family around to make it feel so much like the home that you remember for most of your life.

Still Jobless? Need Money? Visit www.PersonalMoneyStore.com!

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Are you still looking for a job? Do you feel that despite how many times you go out on your job-hunt you keep coming up empty-handed? Do you enjoy writing or at least enjoy socializing with others? If yes, then we have a perfect job opportunity for you! Personal Money Store has several employment opportunities available to most anyone in the World. It does not matter where you are from or who you are. With these job opportunities you can make money online. The economy has not slowed down internet job growth.

For more information on this article and others like it, please click on the following link:Personal Money Store: Still Jobless?

I wonder what past lives would have been like

Reliving memories is something everyone would love to do, especially that of their child hood. There may be times in life when a particular incident or person or song or any such matter could actually relate to or remind you of something that has happened to oneself in the past. There are many such incidents each of them would encounter in their life time. But, how is it to remember something from your past life. Interesting! But the thought of it is a little frightening.

There was this one woman who lives down south of India in the state of Tamil Nadu who a couple of decades back just went on a random visit to few palaces like on a tour. But, when she entered the palace of one of the queen's of yesteryear, she was deeply reminded of the various incidents that she came across in her previous birth and the woman claims that she was the queen in her previous birth. Weird, but it is interesting. All such incidents actually makes one think that there is something called rebirth. Wonder what each one would have been in past lives.

The Importance of Organic Multivitamins

The magnitude of the importance of the organic multivitamin is gaining ground. It is very effective in boosting up the body and it is much conducive to the betterment of the health of human beings. Organic multivitamins are those which are void of any synthetic preservative and color. This natural multivitamin is manufactured with pure and natural nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Therefore there is no side effect and this multivitamin will produce a massive impact on the body.

After consuming this multivitamin supplement, a person will feel energized and powerful. It will give the full safeguard to the body from the onset of the viruses and germs. However, one should feel the difference between the organic multivitamin and common multivitamin. The difference lies in the usage of all natural elements and protein without relying on artificial vitamin or other components. It is seen that there are numerous drug manufacturing companies which claim that they always manufacture natural multivitamin supplements. However, there is little realistic foundation.

In actuality, they use high graded synthetic preservatives, color and other chemical components which have more or less side effects. Therefore at the time of selecting the organic multivitamin, one should make homework. He must read the online reviews to build up the prominent conception and idea. In this connection, an intimate tete-a-tete with the experts will certainly stand guys in good stead. Last but not the least, PhytoVitamins are fully equipped with organic elements and these essential components are utilized to make a fully upgraded organic multivitamin supplement.

However the good combination of Super Green Vitamin Food Formula with these nutrients will definitely turbocharge the body to act much more accurately. Those who work hard must require the adequate amount of organic multivitamins to fight against deadly diseases and viruses

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Hey, there’s a guy outside walking his dogs

Man, does he have a lot of dogs. I think that he should walk by again so I can count them and look at them more closely to see if they're cute or not. A dog has to be cute, or else he's not worth anything. Well, I guess that's not true, and I shouldn't speak like that—it's not very nice and thoughts like that could turn into statements about other people and not just dogs. But I guess we could say that some people are like dogs, but that's not very nice either. Golly, am I just being rude today or what? Yeah, I think that's it.

Basil for a Birthday Present

I'm on a real tight budget and my significant other is having a birthday next week. I've thought of a couple of very inexpensive things to buy and wrap up for the occasion, but the main thing I'm offering up is 40 basil plants, planted at my house, with a promise to water and care for them all summer long. That cost $25, which is as far as I can go. But I really like this idea.

My significant other always plants a bunch of basil and makes and freezes containers of pesto. But this year, the planting season was slipping away and there was no sign at all that the basil would be planted. So I did it. Granted, I was a little motivated by greed. I do want pesto this winter. I'm not willing to make it, but I'll grow the main ingredient!

The Death of David Carradine

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Famous actor David Carradine as found dead last Thursday June 4 in a luxurious Bangkok hotel with his body hanging from a clothes bar in the closet of his hotel room.

A chain reaction

Have you ever noticed that when you yawn, everyone else around you will often time yawn as well? I always thought people just did it on purpose because they thought about yawning. It turns out it is a form of positive feedback. When someone sees you yawning, it creates the need to yawn in their body as well. Our bodies react to each other in different ways. I guess yawning is just a physical thing that gets positive feedback from other people just because it exists. It's kind of gross to see someone's whole mouth when they yawn. It is interesting that our bodies copy each other like that.

Cash For Clunkers 2009 Site Up, But Rules Aren't Ready

It must need a kick-start

If you have multiple cars on blocks outside and no immediate plans to rearrange the furniture on your front lawn, perhaps you should give your homestead look a bit of summer loving. At the very least, you should take advantage of the Cash For Clunkers 2009 program and get something that will purr when you turn the key. Their car allowance rebate system should help the environment and change your lounging area from a rust garden into a place where grass will have a fighting chance.

But the operative word is should. Apparently, the Web site it up but the rules aren’t completely in place. Until then, use cash advances as the fast loans that help you make that down payment on a newer vehicle.

“Tell your dealers so we don’t have to!”

Justin Hyde of the Detroit Free Press reports that while Congress has passed Cash For Clunkers 2009 and the Web site www.cars.gov is in place, rules to govern the program could take up to a month to hammer out. That’s government efficiency for you.

Cars.gov so far is a source that offers information on how the exchange process (clunker for fuel-efficient roadster) will go down. It also urges consumers to contact their local dealers in order to talk them into registering for the program. To me, it seems that that should be the job of the government. I elected you for what reason, again? I pay taxes for… what was that again? Representation? What a concept!

Will Cash For Clunkers 2009 be enough incentive?

Congress has sent their approved version of the $1 billion bill to President Obama for his signature. As it stands, it is designed to give about 250,000 consumers $3,500 to $4,500 in money off the sticker price of a newer, more fuel-efficient vehicle. The original target was $4 billion and one million cars, but the real question is whether people who have held on to their rust buckets will even be able to afford the reduced-price cars once the deal is made. $3,500 to $4,500 isn’t that much if you’re talking a sticker price of $25,000 or more. It helps, but higher-priced vehicles will still be out of reach of many. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Cash For Clunkers 2009 Site Up, But Rules Aren't Ready"

Crooked Houses:Playful Yet Pricey Fun For Kids

TLC show gets Crooked Houses noticed

The Conostoga Wagon custom Crooked House costs $6,187 plus shipping.

The Covered Wagon Crooked House costs $6,187 plus shipping.

Thanks to some oft-repeated product placement, playhouse retailer Kids Crooked Houses is about to get slammed with business. That is, of course, if people can afford them.

Kids Crooked Houses are beautiful, fun, imaginative playhouses for kids. However, if you want the type you saw on “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ last night, you’ll need a lot more money than you can get from a quick payday loan.

Do it yourself

If you are hoping to have the same experience you watched Jon and Kate have last night, I’m sad to inform you that their reality show did not reflect reality. If you buy Crooked Houses, you’ll have to assemble them yourself. There won’t be a big teddy bear of a man playing with your kids while a crew puts together your playhouse for you.

Crooked Houses can be delivered, with a pretty hefty shipping fee. But they come unassembled. The Crooked Houses web site assures customers that assembly is quick and easy, and that all you need is a screwdriver.

The bottom line

Crooked Houses start at $1,249. That price will get you the Original Playhouse, which will arrive unpainted in seven pieces. Shipping costs $239 to $499, so unless you live near a Kids Crooked Houses facility in Utah, Oklahoma, Indiana or Maine, you’re looking at spending at least $1,500 for an unpainted playhouse with a 4-by-6-foot base, some of which is dedicated to the porch. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Crooked Houses:Playful Yet Pricey Fun For Kids"

Yesterday I had some friends make me some banana bread

It was really good. I really love different kinds of bread. Banana bread is probably one of my favorites. I really love it while it is still warm with some butter on it. It is the most amazing taste ever. You have to have the butter or else it won't have the right flavor to it. Banana bread is pretty good by itself but the butter is what really makes it delicious. I had to ask them for their recipe. It already tasted like there was butter on it which was awesome. They said they just printed it offline. Interesting how that works.

ITunes drives me nuts

Everything is so expensive. I just want to buy a song. Every time I get on I end up buying a million songs. Granted that is a little overdramatic. I hate it when I go to buy just one song and they suggest all the right songs to me that I like. I just want to buy a song without any suggestions. The annoying part is that I have too much music. I only ever hear a song once every so often. I am always listening to a whole bunch of music. It is always going. Sometimes I don't but not very often.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Cell phones are amazing

They are there whenever I need them. I can always use my cell phone for anything I need to. I can use it to send a quick text message to someone to find out where they're at. I can use it to find out whether or not my daughter needs to get out of her dates. If she responds then I usually just call and say it's time to come home. I can use it for business phone calls or personal phone calls. Since all the phone numbers are stored inside it, I can call anyone I need to from wherever I'm at. Cell phones are just amazing helpers in life.

Falling in love

My sister's daughter has met and fell in love with a guy in a matter of days. She was just engaged to another guy not more than a month ago. Now she is in love with this other guy. She said she was going to take it slow with this guy but apparently that didn't work. I don't even like the little punk. He is not good enough for her. Nobody is good enough for her really. We all know that my daughter deserves better than any guy that comes her way. I wish she knew that more than I did. Girls have this way of never knowing that they are worth more than they are. Maybe one day it will kick in.

Future Pranks - Water Bottle Trick

Personal Money Store Videos on Youtube

Going back in time to mess with yourself. This time its a trick with the water bottle… :

I just bought a slip and slide for my nephew for his birthday

Yesterday it was about eighty degrees outside so we decided to test it out. He had so much fun playing in it. Of course, my two year old nephew wasn't as enthusiastic about it as my six year old one. He was too scared to even run down it. He did go over and touch the water splashing out which was pretty funny to watch. I really enjoyed watching my nieces and nephews play in the water. It is too bad it left so much water in the yard. I guess it will probably be good for the grass to get all that water in the soil. I'm going to have to change the place they use it every time.

My Myspace is kind of useless

Today I was on Myspace when I realized that there is no need for me to even have a Myspace anymore. I realized all of my friends that I cared about also had a Facebook making my account on Myspace pointless. I did have one friend that I would email through there but she just recently informed me she got a Facebook. That makes it so much easier. If I only have one thing to check along with my email every day, it will make things so much easier. That is just one less password I have to remember and one less website I have to access every day.

Cancer is a pain in the butt

I have two friends right now who have cancer pretty bad. Last Friday my friend called me up and asked me to take her niece to babysit while she was in the hospital with her other niece who has cancer. It is awful. A young girl should never have to duffer cancer like that. I don't know why it happens but I understand that it does. I wish it didn't have to hurt people so much. It is such an inconvenience in life. If there was a way to avoid it then I'm sure it wouldn't be as prominent. I am almost positive there is no way to avoid it. I just want to help the families of the people who have the cancer raging in their body. Sometimes it goes away really quick and sometimes it stays forever.

I love watching movies

They are so much fun. They can keep me entertained for days on end. I always have to have a lot of movies around. I am more a fan of the comedies than anything else. The dramas are a little too serious and dramatic for me. The action movies are pretty good too. I like watching them. I am definitely a fan of the kid movies. They are some of my favorite. I have to watch them with my nieces and nephews to get away with it. I hate looking like an immature adult. I love watching movies though. Every day after work I sit with my sister and her children and watch a movie.

The Personal Finance Hour, Episode 13: Credit Scores with Liz Weston

Join us this afternoon for the 13th episode of The Personal Finance Hour. Today, Jim and I will be joined by a special guest, money writer Liz Pulliam Weston. Weston, “the most-read personal finance columnist on the Internet”, writes regularly for MSN Money, and is the author of Your Credit Score: Your Money and What’s at Stake.

We would love to have you call with questions and share your own experiences! There are four ways to hear the show. You can listen through an audio feed at the show page, or you can dial the call-in number at (347) 327-9144. You can also listen through this widget:

Note that the widget always holds the archive of the most recent episode. So, right now it contains last week’s episode about earning extra money. Later this afternoon it will contain episode number thirteen.

We’re also on iTunes! You can subscribe to The Personal Finance Hour as a weekly podcast by following this link (which will open iTunes).

Jim and I do this every Monday — and we hope you’ll join us. We think this is a fun way to connect with readers and to help everyone learn more about money management. You can catch The Personal Finance Hour live at 3pm Pacific (6pm Eastern) every Monday.

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