Apple admits iPhone 4G reception problems, blames users

The iPhone 4G seems to attract problems. First, the phone was leaked long before Apple wanted it to be. Then, the iPhone 4G troubles came in pre-ordering and delivery. Next, white iPhone 4G issues abounded. Will the recent iPhone 4G reception troubles prove to be a reason for users to switch to Android.

Source of article: iPhone 4G problems- Apple says it is all your fault by Personal Money Store

iPhone 4G issues – Reception

The essential design of the iPhone 4G is intended towards improving reception – as long as you don't do one thing. With your bare skin, touch the bottom-left corner of the iPhone 4G and reception goes out the window. The customer support individuals at Apple are just telling their customers that they "shouldn't hold the phone that way.” If you feel like you haven't spent enough money on your iPhone 4G, data plan, voice plan, and apps – you can buy a separate "bumper" or case. Either way, the iPhone 4G reception problems appear to be an Apple-admitted design flaw. There are some iPhone owners fixing the problem with tape, Styrofoam, or other homemade solutions.

Color difficulties with the iPhone 4G

There is nothing different within the tech behind a white and a black iPhone 4G, but Apple calls the delay "manufacturing issues.” There will be a few weeks or a lot more until a white iPhone 4G is available.

Ordering and delivery difficulties with the iPhone 4G

The iPhone 4G ordering is only barely working itself out. The iPhone 4G delivery had to be changed multiple times. First, the online AT and T store crashed. The Apple store also shut down orders to help try and fix the problem. Because of these issues, the delivery date was pushed back. Even with those "fixes" some customers were told they had not successfully ordered when they actually did.

Are there going to be a lot more difficulties with the iPhone 4G?

The iPhone 4G problems stem, partially, from the extreme demand for the device. The structural issues with the iPhone 4G just are not being fixed. Not having reception may be a good thing though — because AT and T’s new data plans are structured in a way that you’ll be able to download maybe 2 TV episodes before you go over data allowances for the month.

High credit card debt persists with personal finance savvy rising

Americans are more educated about credit than they were before the recession started up; however, their knowledge about personal finance isn’t resulting in better decisions about credit and lending. A survey indicates that most Americans know the interest rates they are paying on their credit card and they know their credit rating. Even so, they continue to carry high interest credit card debt and many don’t know how to improve their credit scores.

Source for this article: Personal finance savvy rising, but high credit card debt persists by Personal Money Store

Know-how of personal finance, it is no good

A survey of personal financial knowledge by Harris Interactive on behalf of Lending Club shows that Americans still aren’t making the most of hard-learned instant cash credit lessons learned during the recession. Adults unaware of their credit score came in at 31 percent, compared to 45 percent who didn’t have a clue in 2007 according to a Bankrate, Inc. survey. Fewer adults (22 percent) who use a credit card don’t know the interest rate on the credit card they use most often (compared to 29 percent who reported not knowing in 2007, as reported by a National Foundation for Credit Counseling survey that was done).

Credit card debt prevails

Credit card companies will be glad to know that of those adults who do know the interest rates on their cards, the survey shows 31 percent have an interest rate of 20 percent or more and 64 percent pay 14 percent or more. Although 93 percent of credit card users know it’s possible to negotiate for a better rate, only 29 percent have ever tried to. Although closing a credit card account will negatively impacts credit score, 18 percent erroneously believe it increases your credit score; 27 percent believed it has no impact. For those with any kind of debt other than a home mortgage, credit card debt is the most common type of debt overall (67 percent) and often the most expensive type of debt to carry.

Personal finance gets advice given

To gain more knowledge about personal finance, AOL Money Coach Jennifer Openshaw has a little bit of advice for consumers who want to be smarter when it comes to credit. You need to figure out your card rates. Find out about all of the lower rates. Somewhere around 68 percent of those who ask for a lower rate are successful and build confidence in their financial savvy as well. Start with a target rate in mind, be assertive and ask for the supervisor if necessary.

You should know what affects your credit score

Openshaw makes the suggestion that you learn what affects your credit score. Know that closing any of your older accounts reduces your balance-to-credit card limit ratio, which may actually lower your score. If you have trouble controlling your credit card spending, it could be better for you to take the temporary hit to your score so you have fewer sources of temptation. Finally, cut your costs on all of your current debt, consider paying off all your debts with one lower interest rate bank loan, but don’t do it with a credit card.

Find more information on this topic

Bankrate Inc.

bankrate.com/

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

nfcc.org/

Jennifer Openshaw

coaches.aol.com/money/jennifer-openshaw

For real debt reduction, plan your debt consolidation carefully

To simplify your debt, debt consolidation loans work. But when it comes to debt relief, it’s only the first step. It doesn't make any sense to get a consolidation loan without changing your spending habits, because otherwise you're simply trying to borrow your way out of debt. If bundling all your debt into one payment lowers your rate of interest it makes sense. But you can end up paying more in the long run if the interest rate is only lower since the term is longer.

{|Source for this article: For real debt reduction, plan your debt consolidation carefully by Personal Money Store

Preparing can make debt consolidation worthwhile

It takes careful planning to set up debt consolidation that saves interest and reduces debt faster. Numerous free debt consolidation calculators are available online. A debt consolidation calculator helps you consider all the factors that determine whether it makes sense to consolidate. Make a plan of action by experimenting with a variety of interest, payment and term combinations.

Top opportunities for debt consolidation

There are many different ways to go about debt consolidation. Some of the best debt consolidation possibilities are listed by M.P. Dunleavy at MSN MoneyCentral. When you have equity with your home, explore a home equity loan. The interest paid is tax deductible on a home equity loan, and it carries a fairly low interest rate within the high single digits. Refinance your car, a secured loan, and use the additional cash to pay off debt. A personnel loan to pay down credit card debt is a great choice, with less interest than you are paying to the credit card company.

Debt relief can grow like a rolling snowball

Numerous financial advisers think that you need to plan on keeping debt payments separate for debt reduction. Debt reduction guru Dave Ramsey advocates the "snowball approach". Debts are paid off in full one at a time, from the smallest to the largest with the snowball approach. List your debts in order from small to large. The smallest balance should be your number one priority. The snowball approach motivates you with success by paying off the simplest debts first. However, keep in mind that for the snowball approach to work, it takes many budgeting and saving discipline.

Discover more details on this topic

moneycentral.msn.com

daveramsey.com

Drilling moratorium overturned by judge with oil business holdings

A federal judge overturned the six-month deep water drilling moratorium within the Gulf of Mexico. The ruling that was issued on Tuesday cited economic hardship as a result of the ban and said the government overreached by suspending all deep-water drilling operations either in progress or prepared in the gulf. Oil companies hailed the ruling. The Department of Justice said they would appeal the decision. Meanwhile, as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 gushed, about 106 million gallons of crude and counting have spilled into the sea.

Article Resource: Drilling moratorium overturned by judge with oil business holdings by Personal Money Store

Possibility of drilling moratorium judge being invested in oil

The drilling moratorium was overturned by Judge Martin L.C. Feldman. It was reported by ABC News that recent disclosure documents indicate that Feldman, who was appointed to the bench by Ronald Reagan, has had financial holdings in oil companies. Feldman said the Interior Department acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” when it issued a six-month moratorium on drilling new deep-water wells within the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean. Feldman granted a preliminary injunction to Hornbeck Offshore Services to lift the drilling moratorium, saying that he believed the government “failed to cogently reflect the decision to issue a blanket, generic, indeed punitive, moratorium.”

Uncertainty involving deep water drilling in future

The moratorium was imposed to give a presidential panel time to come up with recommendations on how to avoid a repeat of the BP oil spill disaster. As outlined by the Los Angeles Times, it remains uncertain whether the Interior Department would have to begin issuing new permits to drill. With an appeal virtually certain to have come from the Obama administration, some analysts are doubting that oil companies would want to start a major deep-water drilling operation within the Gulf of Mexico with the possibility it may have to shut down if the appeal succeeds.

Oil companies spin drilling moratorium

On today's ruling, the American Petroleum Institute explained in a written statement, “The moratorium was an original response to concerns about the safety of offshore oil and natural gas operations. However, an extended moratorium would have a tremendous impact on the nation’s energy security – and cause significant harm to the region of the country that was already suffering from the spill – without raising safety or improving industry procedures.”

Containment failure for BP oil spill

In the mean time, it is reported by CNN that government estimates indicate as much as 60,000 barrels (2.5 million gallons) of oil may be flowing to the Gulf every single day, and the gusher has already taken a significant toll on tourism and the fishing industry in Gulf Coast states. On Tuesday BP announced it had succeeded in collecting less than half of the estimated daily output: 25,830 barrels (1.08 million gallons) of oil over the past 24 hours. The amount is the most ever collected; the previous record was set June 18 when 25,290 barrels were picked up. BP said it will donate net revenues it receives from the sale of oil recovered from the spill to help the National Fish and Wildlife Federation deal with the oil it won’t be collecting from the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010.

Additional data at these websites
ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Politics/gulf-oil-spill-disaster-judge-overrules-white-house/story?id=10983980&page=2

Los Angeles times

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-oil-spill-moratorium-20100623,,7804590.story

CNN

cnn.com/2010/US/06/22/gulf.oil.disaster/index.html?npt=NP1

Auto dealer regulation is a failure to compromise

Auto dealer regulation has been on the minds of House Democrats most recently, or a lot more specifically a lack thereof. Their belief is that the newly formed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) would hamper auto dealers’ ability to recuperate during these trying financial times by limiting their ability to continue offering dealer-assisted financing. Led by New York Reps. Bill Owens and Mike McMahon, the Democrats thought that they might have achieved an acceptable bipartisan compromise – until now. As outlined by Automotive News, an additional provision was surreptitiously inserted into the bill that would have really expanded the CFPA’s oversight over car dealers.

{|Article Resource: Auto dealer regulation – A failure to compromise by Car Deal Expert

NADA is lobbying hard for auto dealer regulation

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) – which is the auto dealer lobby – is flexing its considerable lobbying muscles to bring lawmakers in line with the a lot more permissive House version of the auto dealer regulation bill. Kansas Republican Sen. Sam Brownback was vocal in his opposition to Senate changes that went against what had been perceived to be “sensible bipartisan compromise.” No matter what happens, compromise would go against President Obama’s request made that no exclusive exceptions be made when it comes to the CFPA’s jurisdiction.

Christ Dodd delivers on what Obama wants

As constructed by Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, the suggested auto dealer regulation would allow the CFPA to write binding rules that car dealers would have to follow concerning “credit discrimination, credit disclosure, financial privacy and credit-report accuracy,” as outlined by Automotive News. NADA spokesman Bailey Woods disparaged the altered Senate version of the auto dealer regulation bill, claiming that it would it a lot more difficult for “millions of Americans (to discover) an affordable way to finance a car.”

Barring unfair and deceptive practices

Ridding the industry of unfounded and deceitful practices is the heart and soul of the Dodd bill, which NADA finds totally untenable. Last month, Brownback’s proposal to grant dealer exemption from CFPA regulation was approved 60-30 as “a non-binding recommendation to Senate negotiators,” writes Automotive News. A vote for either the House or Senate approach occurs today. By early next week, the agreed-upon version will leave committee and then will go to the House and Senate for final approval. The last step can be to get the president's signature. What is going to be the future for America's auto dealers?

Works cited

Automotive News (subscription may be required)

autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100623/RETAIL07/100629945/1203

Sam Brownback views auto dealer regulation as anti-small business:

youtube.com/watch?v=jv8lgKa_yAA

Gregory Meeks forgets to disclose $ 55,000 in personal loan

A huge personal loan is easy to forget, right?. New York congressman Gregory Meeks from Queens, nevertheless, evidently just “forgot” a lot more than $ 55,000 in personal loans. As a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, Meeks is one of the senior representatives from New York.

Source for this article: Gregory Meeks forgets to disclose $ 55,000 in personal loans Personal Money Store

What Gregory Meeks considers an "oversight"

Gregory Meeks evidently had two personal loan that he "neglected" in an "oversight" to list on his financial disclosure statements. In a statement to the Daily News, Meeks admitted that these loans existed, but did not reveal any other info about them. This $ 55,000 was given to Meeks in two loans – $ 40,000 and $ 15,000 in 2007 and 2008. In the disclosure document, these loans were listed as "personal unsecured loans.” A Queens-area businessman also has one loan to Meeks that is worth "between $ 50,000 to $ 100,000.

Financial disclosure requirements

Any member of the U.S. House has to disclose quite a bit about their financial situation. Due halfway through May each year, these disclosure statements include incomes, assets, and liabilities. Gregory Meeks’ 2009 disclosure was filed about a month late, which prompted inquiries. Meeks says the disclosure was late because he wanted to take on a full and careful review of his finances. Technically, these disclosures are supposed to be public, though the House Clerk and Secretary of State, with whom they must be filed, don’t post these disclosures online.

Will Gregory Meeks face consequences?

There may be disciplinary action for Gregory Meeks because of this $ 55,000 "oversight". First, he could possibly be charged with a violation of the ethics code under House Rule XXVI. Gregory Meeks' constituents could, legally, bring up legal action against their representative. Most likely, nevertheless, Meeks will not face charges unless there are improprieties within the administration of these “small” cash loans. It will be up to the voters to choose in the next election whether Gregory Meeks should face consequences or not.

Monitoring driving routines - May be the tiwi really worth it?

For teen motorists, the tiwi sounds like the perfect solution. The small on-board pc monitors predefined “dangerous” behaviors and notifies both the driver and the parents of this activity. The tiwi is being marketed to mother and father of teens following at first being produced for fleet drivers. Is the pc really really worth the cost and effort?

Post Resource: Monitoring driving routines – May be the tiwi really worth it

Tiwi and the way it functions

The tiwi unit is an on-board pc that connects towards the diagnostic port on most cars. The computer analyzes seatbelt use, zealous acceleration and other “dangerous” driving behaviors. That info is to be combined with GPS coordinates on the unit to produce a complete picture from the driver’s actions. After certain pre-set actions, the unit vocally reminds the driver from the mistake, and sends a notification to some pre-set telephone or email.

The advantages of the tiwi

The tiwi is very useful. For teen drivers, who typically have 50 hours or less of driving experience, it can help reduce accidents. The capability to monitor the position and actions of the automobile can also be very useful for parents. In fleet-driving situations, managers and bosses are likely to be able to maintain an eye on the activity and behavior of their employees. In short, the tiwi assists 1 individual keep monitor of an additional — and offers reinforcement of great driving behavior.

Tiwi drawbacks

The tiwi program is, much like numerous other tracking systems, intended for very useful purposes. It does raise questions of safety and privacy. Simply because tiwi connects directly to cell-phone networks and also towards the computer’s diagnostic port, there is a possible for vulnerability to hacking. There can also be a “big brother” aspect of each and every movement of the automobile becoming tracked. For employees driving business vehicles, this may not be as big of an issue – but for any 17- or 18-year-old driver, it could be slightly a lot more sticky. In the end, the tiwi could be very helpful, but it’s really worth carefully thinking about whether the $ 200 initial price and $ 40 per month subscription charge is worth it for family.

General McChrystal publicity actually rips the administration in Rolling Stones

General Stanley McChrystal is being called on the White House carpet after a magazine article released this week quoted the general criticizing the Obama administration and its Afghanistan strategy with his staff. McChrystal and Obama meet regularly to discuss Afghanistan via videoconference. But after the Rolling Stone McChrystal profile broke, Obama demanded to see him this time in person. This isn't the first time the general has talked bad about administration in public.

Article Resource: General McChrystal publicly rips administration in Rolling Stone by Personal Money Store

Obama contempt from McChrystal

In the article, General McChrystal and his staff reveal their contempt that they have with several officials carrying out the administration’s Afghanistan war policy. Fox News reports the article in this week’s Rolling Stone quotes McChrystal making disparaging remarks about President Obama, mocking Vice President Joe Biden, feeling “betrayed” by U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry, and recalling how Obama looked “uncomfortable and intimidated” by a roomful of military officers. An aide to McChrystal also decides he wants to call National Security Adviser Jim Jones “a clown” who remains “stuck in 1985.”

Fallout of McChrystal Rolling Stone}

General McChrystal will attend a White House meeting with Biden and numerous of the other advisers with whom McChrystal mocked in the article. The general has fired Duncan Boothby, the press aide who booked the McChrystal Rolling Stone interview. The Washington Post reports the timing of the Rolling Stone article by freelance journalist Michael Hastings could hardly be worse. With little but bad news coming out of McChrystal’s Afghanistan war and increasing casualties, U.S. lawmakers and senior officials from allied countries are increasingly skeptical about the U.S. Afghanistan strategy. Within the meantime, the Associated Press reports that Afghan President Hamid Karzai strongly backs McChrystal in Afghanistan and hopes Obama doesn’t decide to replace him.

It is done again by General McChrystal

General McChrystal’s Afghanistan remarks have veered off-message before. Last year following the general’s recommendations for the Afghanistan war were made public, he gave a speech in London openly criticizing administration officials, vice president Joe Biden in particular, who disagreed with him. On that very same occasion McChrystal was called on the carpet of Air Force One in Copenhagen, where the president had traveled to speak about Chicago’s bid to host the Olympics. As outlined by the New York Times, General McChrystal has apologized for his remarks, saying the article was "a mistake reflecting poor judgment and should never have happened."

Read more on this topic here

Fox News

whitehouse.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/06/22/obama-summons-his-top-general-in-afghanistan-back-to-white-house-after-disparaging-remarks/

The Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/22/AR2010062200813_2.html?sid=ST2010062200900

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/06/23/world/asia/23mcchrystal.html?hp

In legal scuffle is Fastbucks and New Mexico Attorney General

In New Mexico, the lawsuits are flying between the Attorney General and loan business Fastbucks. Last year attorney General Gary King filed a lawsuit against Fastbucks. Fastbucks decided to sue back. At issue? New regulations on payday loan lenders that Fastbucks fought in court in 2006.

Article Resource: Fastbucks and New Mexico Attorney General in legal scuffle by Personal Money Store

The first lawsuit against Fastbucks

The lawsuit that began this tete-a-tete New Mexico was filed by Gary King against Fastbucks and one other instant payday loan business. The suit was a civil suit and was scheduled for July 6. The suit claimed that Fastbucks was responsible for lending “unconscionable” loans. The judge ordered that Fastbucks and also the New Mexico Attorney General were to attend mediation, but the Attorney General did not attend the session.

Fastbucks and their countersuit

In the Roswell district court, Fastbucks filed a countersuit to the Attorney General. Fastbucks explains that the Attorney General is suing them to “create legislation with litigation.” The suit also says the case has been filed as a reaction to the failure of the legislation to pass in 2006. A court date isn't set yet. It is possible that the New Mexico Attorney General may file for the judging of the suit to be moved. Because the counter suit was filed in a different district than the original, there may be some issues of jurisdiction.

The essential arguments

The arguments in the New Mexico case end with the question of “unconscionable trade practices.” The Attorney General of New Mexico says that these instant payday loans charge too much money for the lending service they provide. Fastbucks and many of the other stores that deal in payday advance loans say that they are being unfairly targeted for providing lending to high-risk customers. Providing an instant payday loans is an expensive proposition, so the interest rates are high. Many states and attorney generals are taking action against these businesses, saying they take unfair advantage.

SpaghettiOs recall affects 15 million pounds of pre-cooked pasta

Last night, Campbell Soup Business put out a SpaghettiOs recall that will probably affect 15 million pounds of the canned pasta product. The SpaghettiOs recall is not happening because of any reported illnesses, but was issued “out of an abundance of caution.” You will find 3 types of SpaghettiOs within the recall because of uncooked meat.

Article Source: SpaghettiOs recall affects 15 million pounds of pre-cooked pasta by Personal Money Store

SpaghettiOs and their recall products

The three products involved within the SpaghettiOs recall are all 14.75-ounce cans, stamped with the code EST 4K and a “use by” date between June 2010 and December 2011. These are:

• You will find the SpaghettiOs with Meatballs with the product code U5
• There are the SpaghettiOs A to Z with Meatballs with the product code 4N
• There's SpaghettiOs “Cars” Fun Shapes with Meatballs with the product code KS.

Inspection of SpaghettiOs recall by Department of Agriculture

The SpaghettiOs recall is being announced in conjunction with Campbell Soup Company and also with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service. The FSIS was completing a routine safety inspection of the Campbell warehouse that is in Paris, Texas when they found that some meats within the SpaghettiOs recall were undercooked. Undercooked canned meats can pose a danger of sickness if eaten.

Costs of all the recalled SpaghettiOs

The cost of any food recall can very quickly and effortlessly run into the millions of dollars. Retail, a can of SpaghettiOs generally costs about 80 cents. Back-of-the-envelope calculations explain that at 15 ounces apiece, the company is recalling about 16 million cans of SpaghettiOs. They are offering to refund or replace any SpaghettiOs recalled – which puts just the product cost at $ 12.8 million, retail. Add that to the cost of recovering from the recall after announcing and administering it. In other words, one malfunctioning cooker that was not repaired in almost 18 months will cost the company at least $ 13 million if not more. The company’s stock has also been steadily losing value today, though until today it was recovering very well from the 2009 stock market fall.

What to do if you are affected by the SpaghettiOs recall

Return your SpaghettiOs to the store where you purchased them if you were within the recall. The store should give you a full replacement or refund. For a lot more info, you are able to call the Campbell's hotline at 866-495-3774.

Governor pay day loans bill veto countered by S. Carolina House

Recently, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford vetoed H.3790, a payday loans bill that would have stretched the payment period from two weeks to four months (without changing the fees charged). Furthermore, H.3790 would have eliminated unsecured loans in South Carolina and outlawed the common practice of a customer presenting a lender with a post-dated check. However, S.C. Politics Today reports the South Carolina House of Representatives has overridden Gov. Sanford’s veto. In doing this, they also went against the governor’s veto of the portions of the bill that affected mortgage industry licensing fees.

Resource for this article: South Carolina House overturns veto of pay day loan bill

Mark Sanford was against payday loan-strangling H.3790

Gov. Sanford explained to the state legislature that his payday loans bill veto was warranted because

“Although this type of regulation is intended to protect the public, these kinds of laws ultimately decrease the number and type of available financing options and make it harder for new lenders to enter the market. In other words, consumers have fewer choices and the available options become more expensive. … Some people will benefit from payday–style loans and some will not, and we continue to believe that individual consumers are better equipped than a government bureaucracy to know whether a short-term loan is a wise decision in any given circumstance.”

The public knows what works best for them

It is common knowledge that state legislators are less likely to need a pay day loans or similar loans with no credit check – short term loan or otherwise – than the average credit-constrained consumer, so it is logical that consumers should be allowed to choose for themselves. If Mark Sanford, a man of privilege, can see that, the legislators should be able to as well. As of now, payday loans law in South Carolina allows borrowers one loan at a time, up to $550. Payday loan customer history is maintained in a statewide computer database.

Another bill, an additional overturned veto

Another stinging veto override delves into Gov. Sanford’s alleged history of impropriety with South Carolina tax dollars. S.C. Politics Today reports that the House cancelled out another Sanford veto that would have “allowed details to be made public in a state ethics investigation of the governor when it indicates possible cause that a violation may have occurred”. The vote against Sanford’s veto of the governor investigation bill was a landslide, 102-2 in favor of overturning his veto. Sanford claims he just wanted the bill expanded to include all state lawmakers.

Read a lot more on this topic here

thestatecom.typepad.com/ygatoday/2010/06/house-overrides-sanford-on-payday-lending-ethics.html

docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.scgovernor.com/NR/rdonlyres/A0AB7D58-484C-49EC-9DD7-856ED2D5D7C3/35671/H3790MortgageLoanOriginator.pdf

SEC fighting over regulation of P2P lending

Peer-to-peer lender Prosper has started a debate over the right of the SEC to regulate – or not – their industry. A relatively new business model, P2P lending is a type of lending that cuts banks out. The SEC calls these companies investment businesses, which means the SEC could regulate them. Prosper is taking action to change this ruling, though.

Article Resource: Peer to peer lending confounds the SEC

The way peer 2 peer lending operates

Peer to peer lending is not entirely unknown – it has been used for microloans to charities within the past. Basically, an investor has direct choice over who they lend money to. Borrowers post requests for loans on the site, including info like their credit score. For as little as $ 25, a lender can contribute to one of these borrowers. Thus far, the two largest U.S. depending p2p lenders are lendingclub.com and prosper.com. On average, these companies claim that investors make around 9 percent on their investments.

Regulations for peer to peer lenders

The lending on peer to peer loan websites are at the moment regulated by the SEC. The argument the SEC uses is that these online lenders are investment firms selling bonds – and therefore fall under the purview of the SEC. To regulate their business, Prosper is asking for the CFPA to have the rights to their business.

The real differences between bonds and loans

Corporations generally use bonds as a type of capital-raising investment. Bonds are a contract that promises payment later as well as easy cash loans. A bond can be traded, exchanged, insured and typically moved around financial markets without much trouble. In comparison to other loans, bonds generally have very low interest rates. Loans are a contract for money now that cannot be traded as easily. Individuals are "sold" loans by banks, while corporations sell banks bonds.

Watch for potential auto mechanic scams

When you take your vehicle to an auto mechanic, you should have reasonable assurance that they are reputable and trustworthy. It always helps to research the mechanic ahead of time. However, being prepared with knowledge of some of the sneaky car repair tricks those mechanics that are less than honest can help you avoid being scammed. Here are some things look for, and none of them require much more than some basic automotive knowledge. Thanks to WalletPop for giving us some great ideas.

Source for this article: Watch out for these potential auto mechanic scams

Watch for the spit-and-polish auto mechanic scams

A customer's lack of knowledge is what auto scams depend on. A mechanic may say that a part needs to be replaced, but they may remove it, clean it up, then simply put it back on the car so that it looks brand new. Common targets are batteries, oil filters, and radiators. Some mechanics say they replaced your old part with a refurbished one. They have actually done nothing. If you can take the car home first before having repairs done, mark the part in question with a small dab of paint that isn’t easy to spot unless someone knows it’s there. After repairs are complete, ask to see the old part as well as the purchase order for the new one. Match the new part with the info in the receipt. If there is paint on this part, it was a scam.

Manic maintenance

Always follow manufacturer suggested intervals for standard maintenance. This can be found in your owner's manual. The manufacturers know your vehicle model better than you or anyone else will, so their recommended specs are authoritative. If a mechanic tries to get you to agree to an oil change, flush or other repair sooner than you might actually need it, you’ll have reason for suspicion. Just to be safe, bring your owner’s manual with you when you take your car in for maintenance or repair.

Don't pay for guesswork

This is for people who didn't have the problem fixed by their mechanic. Hold your mechanic to a high standard. If they failed to fix it the first time, demand a refund. If these problems continue, get a new mechanic.

Think about your dipstick

Before going in for repairs, check your dipstick. Do this, not just because you want an accurate reading of your engine’s oil level, but because this will remind you to watch for an old nickel-and-dime trick some mechanics use. They will get a lower reading by only inserting the dipstick part way. Sure, it may only be $5 or $10, but that’s something. Also, watch for the detached spark plug trick – it might just save you from expensive and unnecessary engine exploratory work. Don't get the power steering flush either. According to WalletPop, no auto manufacturer recommends this service.

Seems doubled over with labor

Repair jobs lead to other repair jobs sometimes. Mechanics will double the labor charge sometimes. You should pay the labor cost you were quoted. The mechanic still needs to make money off their time if the job is big. Communicate with your mechanics and make sure they spell out whether additional labor charges will be incurred before you give your consent to proceed.

Citations~More information on this topic~Read more on this topic here~Find more information on this topic~Additional information at these websites

WalletPop

walletpop.com/top5/general/sneaky-auto-repair-tricks/

Video related:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4fLfpuXDuM

Lee Farkas, mortgage lender, charged with TARP fraud

When the U.S. federal government created the Troubled Asset Relief Program, it was intended to help bail out lenders struggling. The cost of the TARP program has been significantly less than expected. However, the Securities and Exchange Commission is prosecuting some mortgage lenders for fraud that amounts to $ 1.9 billion. The SEC has charged Lee Farkas with fraud of the TARP system.

Article Source: Lee Farkas, mortgage lender, charged with TARP fraud

Mortgage lenders Taylor, Bean and Whitaker

The majority owner and chairman of mortgage lender Taylor, Bean and Whitaker, Lee Farkas, was responsible for investments that mortgage lender sold. In order to defraud the TARP fund, allegedly, TBW sold over $ 1.5 billion in bad loans to the Colonial Bank. Because of these investments, Colonial Bank was able to get TARP money from the bailout fund. While Taylor, Bean and Whitaker under Lee Farkas was previously one of the largest non-bank mortgage lenders in the U.S., it filed for bankruptcy in August of 2009.

Lee Farkas's alleged crimes against TARP

When he was the head of the mortgage lender, Lee Farkas presumably defrauded the SEC of more than $ 1 billion. The SEC says that Farkas sold half a billion in fake loans and one billion in "damaged" loans that he did not disclose. Lee Farkas also allegedly headed up a “bogus equity investment” that assisted Colonial Bank qualify for TARP funds. Along with other alleged crimes, the SEC claims that Lee Farkas cost them $ 1.9 billion.

Ramping up Fed oversight

The amount of oversight the Fed has is being ramped up under the watch of Ben Bernanke. In overall, the Fed has come out in support of the financial reform bill working its way by way of Congress. The oversight that both the Fed and the SEC might have over the financial industry is also being ramped up – including increased prosecutions of those that have defrauded the funds.

Three tips for creating your own car-sharing group

Car sharing is one of the most popular new schemes to help urbanites cut down on their driving. Individuals will choose to be in a car sharing group for various reasons. Car sharing is not accessible in every city across the nation yet, though. Starting your own car-sharing program could be a legitimate alternative – but you will find definitely a few things to keep in mind.

Article Resource: Three tips for creating your own car-sharing group By Personal Money Store

1 – Who will own the vehicle?

The first thing that needs to be decided is who will ultimately be responsible for the automobile. Unless you start a company or LLC that will own the car, somebody will have to be ultimately responsible for the money, maintenance and management of the automobile. There needs to be a basic contract that is signed by any person sharing the vehicle.

2 – Insurance

As a part of the car-sharing group, the head person should make sure the insurance will cover the car, no matter who is driving it. If the car could be shared more than 30 to 40 percent of the driving time, it is important to check with the laws of your state. If you don't share with your insurance company that the car is regularly used by others, that could end up not getting you your money. The other option is to ask all members of the car-sharing network to get their own “non-owner policy” or “broad form” policy – both of which cover the driver and not necessarily the car.

3 – Costs of the car-sharing

Figuring out the costs of car-sharing is one of probably the most difficult things for a car-sharing group. The monthly payments, if the car is not paid for, should be kept separate from the operating costs of the car. You are able to split the monthly payment as a monthly fee of sharing the car. Also take into consideration operating costs. You can add all the fuel, insurance, and maintenance fees together. Divide the total by either people or the number of miles you expect to drive the car. To cover all operating costs, set a "per mile" rate for the car. 50 cents a mile is what the US government uses. Depending on the cost of fuel and insurance, an average per-mile sharing rate should be someplace from 50 cents to $1 per mile.

It can be worth it to figure out what will officially be the costs of sharing. Until ZipCar, Hertz Go, or some other kind of car-sharing network makes it to your city, it can be a great way to lower your cost and reduce your environmental impact.

Housing market not responding – mortgage rates near record lows

Mortgage rates hit the lowest levels of the year this week. Shouldn't the housing market have good news by low rates? Existing home prices and existing home sales were up in April — an additional bit of good news, right? But despite the attractive mortgage rates, mortgage applications plummeted following the home buyer tax credit deadline April 30. Plus, numerous of the different homeowners are still out of work, more than 1 million more foreclosures are expected to occur and banks still have yet to put the homes they’ve already seized on the market. The housing market recovery will have to wait. In fact, the U.S. housing market may have yet to bottom out.

Source for this article: Mortgage rates near record lows – housing market not responding By Personal Money Store

Mortgage rate trends

The average mortgage rate dropped to 4.72 percent this week, which is actually down from 4.79 percent last week, as outlined by mortgage finance company Freddie Mac. It was just above the record of 4.71 set last December. All of the mortgage rate trends point even lower than that. The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage hit 4.17 percent, down from 4.2 percent last week and also the lowest on record since August 1991. Sadly, the US housing market isn't responding. As outlined by the Associated Press, the market is struggling without a tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers, which expired at the end of April. A campaign by the Federal Reserve to cut back borrowing costs for consumers pushed mortgage rate trends down to extraordinarily low levels last year. Rates were designed to rise following the program ended this spring, but have fallen instead over the past two months.

Forecast of mortgage rate

The mortgage rate forecast will create an economic setback. A jobs report released last week showed that private sector hiring was practically non-existent at 41,000 jobs. Investors worried about the stock market shifted money to the safety of U.S. Treasury bonds. According to the Los Angeles Times, investors have rushed to buy Treasury securities given that late April, within the process driving market yields on the bonds sharply lower. Investors bought $21 billion of the securities at a Treasury auction Wednesday, despite the fact that they’re paying just 3.20 percent. The yield on US treasury has been pushed down by it. The mortgage rate forecast tends to track that yield.

2010 Housing market predictions

With mortgage rates at near record lows, last week the number of customers applying for a mortgage to buy a property fell to the lowest level that it has been in 13 years and was down 35 percent from a month ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. As outlined by MarketWatch, any housing market recovery will likely continue to be slowed by additional homes on the market from “shadow inventory” and “sidelined sellers.” Shadow inventory is what we call foreclosed homes not on the market yet. You will find some homeowners who haven't foreclosed yet. Analysts expect foreclosures to peak later this year or next at about 2 million.

Housing market recovery on hold

Sidelined sellers are people who want to sell their homes but are waiting for the housing market recovery. According to MarketWatch, about 7 percent of homeowners — representing a lot more than 5 million homes — fall into this category. They will likely be waiting for a while. 9.7 percent was the US unemployment rate in May. Many of the salaries are frozen or cut. In a National Foundation for Credit Counseling survey, 49 percent said if they tried to buy a home they’d never be able to save enough money for a down payment. People underwater on their mortgages, about 25 percent of borrowers, can’t get the financing to move to another house. People who are buying for mortgages aren’t only worried about getting a home, but also their ability to keep it. Chief economist at Fannie Mae told MarketWatch that within the long run, that attitude is a good thing for the economy.

We're finally getting good news.

Read a lot more on this topic here

Associated Press
google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPHFMSZDHZNqzg3uDQ1tvmGdoq4wD9G8FSG00
LA times
latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/06/treasury-bonds-yields-rally-economy-auction-austerity-pimco-gross.html
Marketwatch.com
marketwatch.com/story/the-housing-market-recession-is-not-over-2010-06-09?pagenumber=1

With low retail sales, the rising consumer confidence calms volatile stocks

Retail sales dropped in May, and the stock market dropped in step with data delivered by the Commerce Department retail sales report. Stock market volatility is normal now. Before reversing direction early Friday when the May retail sales report was released, the stock market rose at the end of the day Thursday. The market then seesawed throughout the day as conflicted investors weighed the negative retail sales report with an unexpectedly positive analysis of consumer confidence.

Source for this article: Low retail sales, rising consumer confidence calm volatile stocks

Commerce Department retail sales

Retail sales didn't help the optimism of a late stock market rally on Thursday evening. The New York Times reports that Wall Street indexes fell Friday morning after the Commerce Department reported that retail sales decreased 1.2 percent last month, the largest drop since last fall. Five of 13 retail sales figure categories in the report decreased with one of the largest drops in building materials at 9.3 percent. Excluding any and all sales to commercial fleets (overall auto sales increased in May), retail auto sales were down 1.7 percent.

Volatility week for the stock market

Despite the volatility in the stock market, all three major indexes closed higher for the week. Stock prices dove in the last hour Monday (jobless report), rebounded Tuesday (reassuring words from the Federal Reserve), dove again Wednesday (political pressure on BP dividends) and bounced back Thursday (overseas economic reports). According to the Times, Friday's session, its volatility tempered by the good cop/bad cop consumer confidence and retail sales reports, made the difference for the somewhat happy ending.

Forecast beat by consumer confidence rate

A few hours after the May retail sales report sent investors out of stocks and into bonds, the Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for early June came in higher than expected at 75.5, up from 73.6 at the end of May and better than the 74.5 economists had been expecting. It was reported by Forbes that the disparity between the retail sales and consumer confidence reports signifies that many Americans still feel that their personal finances are under stress while they see the overall economy to be on the mend and hope for better days ahead.

Retail sales silver lining

A deeper analysis of the retail sales report may explain why consumers on Main Street feel better than traders on Wall Street. Frank Ahrens of the Washington Post points out that even though retail sales dropped 1.2 percent from April to May, compared with May 2009 retail sales were actually up 7 percent. Ahrens goes further and decides to say that when excluding negative numbers from bigger pieces of the pie taken by auto sales, building materials and gasoline (down 3.3 percent) overall retail sales actually rose 0.1 percent in May.

Citations

New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/06/12/business/12markets.html?src=mv
Forbes
forbes.com/2010/06/11/briefing-markets-economy-bp-retail-sales-consumer-sentiment-oil-spill-google-financials.html?boxes=Homepagechannels
Frank Ahrens
voices.washingtonpost.com/economy-watch/2010/06/retail_sales_drop_but_consumer.html

Jones act of 1920 doesn’t help the response to 2010 oil spill in gulf of Mexico

A federal law passed in 1920 called the Jones act and is now making headlines because of the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010. The Jones Act was passed 90 years ago to give U.S. shipping companies an advantage over the rest of the world in U.S. waters. Today the Jones Act is preventing the rest of the world from helping the U.S. clean up the BP oil spill with state of the art technology. Now it is unlikely the Obama administration doesn't know the effect the Jones act if having on the disaster. Rather than talking about passing a law to help the situation, perhaps a simple executive order suspending the Jones Act would be a lot more productive.

Article Source: Jones Act of 1920 hinders best response to gulf oil spill in 2010

Jones Act slows oil spill cleanup

The Jones Act prevented foreign companies from offering the U.S. assistance in the oil spill cleanup soon after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, killed 11 individuals, sank, blew out the well and started an undersea gusher that has dumped up to 30,000 barrels of oil a day for the past 53 days. It was reported by the Heritage Foundation that within days of the oil spill, a number of European nations offered the Obama administration ships to assist within the clean-up of the Gulf. A Belgian newspaper, De Standaard, explained that European firms working with the U.S. could complete the task in three months, instead of an estimated nine months if done by the U.S. alone. De Standaard reports that no U.S. companies have the ships to accomplish this task is because those ships would cost twice as much to build in the U.S.

Barred ships for oil spill cleanup

The Jones Act is preventing the most advanced oil cleanup ships from participating in the oil spill cleanup. According to Fox News, politics are taking precedent over ensuring the best possible oil spill cleanup effort. Joseph Carafano of the Heritage Foundation suggested to Fox News that the most proven foreign oil cleanup ships remain on the sidelines because of the Obama administration's close relationship with all of of the labor unions. Unions believe that the Jones Act protects American jobs, and those unions use their political clout to pressure all of the lawmakers who would waive the law for this one time.

Oil spill BP liability

Waiving the Jones Act may do a lot more to blunt the damage of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico than other legal moves being considered. The Wall Street Journal reports that President Obama, talking about BP oil spill liability on Thursday, said Congress must "update the laws to make sure that the individuals in the Gulf, the fishermen, the hotel owners, families who are dependent for their livelihoods in the Gulf, that they are all made whole." Nevertheless, it is questioned whether a law could be passed focusing only on one company like that. But some law professors and corporate attorneys said some of the Justice Department attorneys could use language in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to expand BP's oil spill liability.

Time’s up for The Jones Act

The Jones Act which was created to protect jobs may help eliminate jobs now. People who earn a living in fishing, tourism and even the oil industry are watching their livelihoods being destroyed for years to come. The Heritage Foundation points out there are also private sector jobs not being created within the U.S. since the Jones Act prices U.S. companies out of the competitive global market. If mounting public awareness of the law results within the Jones Act being waived, then the BP oil spill is probably the catalyst for repealing it altogether.

A lot more details on this topic

Heritage Foundation

blog.heritage.org/2010/06/08/to-save-the-gulf-send-the-jones-act-to-davy-jones'-locker/

Fox News

liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/06/10/jones-act-slowing-oil-spill-cleanup/?test=latestnews

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/law/2010/06/11/on-the-government-bp-and-the-law/

BP manipulates oil spill web search listings as BP stock tanks

Google, Bing and Yahoo are profiting from the BP oil spill as the besieged company fights to polish its oil stained image. Type “oil spill” in those search engines and BP appears at the top of the page. BP is distributing its oil wealth to search engines as the company's stock price goes through the floor, threatening its future although it has billions stashed away. BP is also taking heat from U.S. politicians who are criticizing the company for paying huge stock dividends while companies displaced by the disaster wait for damage claims. Meanwhile, the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010 added up to as much as 125 million gallons and counting on day 52 of the disaster.

Resource for this article: BP buys top oil spill search listings as BP stock price plummets

BP's fabricated oil spill search

BP is hoping web users won't notice the company's search ranking is bought and paid for. USA Today reports that Google, Bing and Yahoo are accepting money from BP to help the business spin and withhold information about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico with top rankings for searches such as the words "BP news," oil spill" and "oil spill claims". The sponsored links take you to a special BP Web page featuring the news updates, photos and videos telling a story about the oil spill disaster and cleanup that BP wants people to hear. What’s missing from the BP site is the oil spill live feed that shows a raging gusher of crude overwhelming the oil spill cap.

BP's oil-stained stock price

BP's search engine oil spill spin has been little help to its stock price. In London trading, U.S. political pressure on BP for its failure to contain the oil spill disaster drove BP stock to its lowest price in seven years. BP stock is widely held by British pension funds and investors you will find angered over the insistence of U.S. lawmakers that BP suspend dividends until the oil spill is cleaned up. The Associated Press reports that when asked if BP should cut its dividends to shareholders House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “I think it’s appropriate for BP to be paying businesses in the Gulf. … They have a responsibility under the law to pay these damages. They made $17 billion last year. Maybe individuals who receive dividends have deeper pockets."House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the Associated Press that BP should take responsibility under the law to pay damages before paying dividends to individuals with deep pockets.

Read a lot more on this topic here

CNNMoney.com

usatoday.com

google.com/hostednews/ap/article

The Armando Galarraga Corvette gift from GM ends up burning taxpayers

General Motors gave Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a Corvette directly after his near-perfect game. The 2010 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is worth $ 53,000, but it was reported by Crain’s Detroit Business the media coverage the gesture brought to GM was worth approximately $ 9 million. A study that was done by research group Joyce Julius and Associates Inc. tracked the exposure the Galarraga Corvette brought to GM across all forms of media, from 714 TV shots to 151,000 print publications and numerous Web entries.

Source for this article: Armando Galarraga Corvette gift from GM burns taxpayers

Taxpayers angered by Galarraga Corvette windfall

California Rep. Darrell Issa gave a crucial voice to what numerous taxpayers are thinking after GM’s Galarraga Corvette gift. Issa’s spokesman Kurt Bardella said to the New York Times that “Until GM has repaid the taxpayers in full for the money they have borrowed, each and every action they take should advance them in that direction.” The U.S. government currently owns 61 percent of GM, and because GM nevertheless owes taxpayers for its bailout investment, the Galarraga Corvette giveaway was quite unacceptable. Such is the case in spite of the fact Armando Galarraga may have earned praise for the manner in which he conducted himself following the blown call by umpire Jim Joyce that cost Galarraga a perfect game. Joyce later showed contrition and admitted that he had made a mistake with the call. Despite the blown call, Armando Galarraga’s game was perfect.

GM says they paid the borrowed funds but did it with another bailout loan

Rep. Issa isn’t the only one who noticed that GM aired a TV commercial in May 2010 that said that apparently it had paid back its government bailout loan. As outlined by Crain’s, the fact is that GM was only able to do so because it took out an additional government auto bailout loan. Possibly the $ 9 million windfall that came from the Galarraga Corvette can help them take care of that loan on the books? That kind of brand value exposure works just as well as any other asset when it comes to repaying debt.

Read more on this topic here

Crain’s Detroit Business

crainsdetroit.com/article/20100609/FREE/100609856

Personal Money Store

personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/06/03/perfect-game-blown-call-joyce/

Facebook.com/nabiscocookies - Get a free cookie coupon

You can get a free package of Nabisco cookies if you act easily and go to facebook.com/nabiscocookies. The free Nabisco cookie promotion is not an unusual move, especially for the parent business Kraft. This facebook.com/nabiscocookies promotion is limited, so you should have a backup plan if you don’t get your coupon.

Article Resource: Facebook.com/nabiscocookies – Get a free cookie coupon By Personal Money Store

Your facebook.com/nabiscocookies coupon

In an effort to get more fans for its Facebook page, Nabisco cookies is offering a coupon for “Liking” the facebook.com/nabiscocookies page. There are only 465,000 free cookie coupons available for new fans, and they are expected to go very quickly. In order to use your free cookie coupon, you will have to purchase a package of Nabisco cookies and two containers of milk, including a gallon. The coupon expires June 25, 2010.

The promotional playbook behind facebook.com/nabiscocookies

The facebook.com/nabiscocookies promotion will last only 24 hours. Cookies that count as "Nabisco cookies" contain Nilla wafers, Fig Newtons, Nutter Butters, Chips Ahoy, and Oreos. The Kraft foods business owns Nabisco cookies, as well as a number of other brands. Ultimately, the majority of the Kraft foods business is owned by Phillip Morris. The Phillip Morris company, which began by selling tobacco, owns 88.1 percent of the Kraft company. The Kraft / Phillip Morris conglomerate has purchased and re-sold dozens of brands. Kraft Foods purchased Cadbury most recently. In one year, Kraft stock has gone up in value by over eight percent.

facebook.com/nabiscocookies coupon didn't make it to you?

You will find less than 500,000 coupons accessible on the facebook.com/nabiscocookies website. Even if you get a coupon, purchasing all the items to get your "free" cookies will end up costing $ 15 or more. This doesn’t mean you’ve to miss out, though. You can very easily make your own Nabisco-style cookies at home. Traditional Oreos use a sugar-and-vegetable shortening filling that you can replace with butter cream or an additional cookie. Oreos always sound tasty, but fresh out of the oven, they’re even better.

Nitrogen inflation is a lot more than hot air

Replacing the standard oxygen used to inflate tires with nitrogen is becoming a popular trend in the consumer automotive world. As outlined by Why Nitrogen?, doing so will make a large difference in your car’s handling, fuel efficiency (and hence its carbon footprint), also as tire life. Nitrogen inflation claims are based upon in very basic science, and studies by trusted publications like Consumer Reports have supported the idea.

Article Resource: Nitrogen inflation – Adding life to your tires

Nitrogen inflation stays in tires longer

In addition to being dry and non-flammable, nitrogen gas is said to escape from a tire up to four times a lot more slowly than oxygen. This is because nitrogen molecules are large, hence less likely to seep through the rubber, claims Why Nitrogen?. Properly inflated automobile tires huge the road as intended. Not only that, however they make the car a lot more fuel efficient, as the engine doesn’t have to work as hard to move the vehicle forward. Engines that aren’t overtaxed burn less fuel, which is better for the environment. Maintaining that proper inflation via nitrogen inflation keeps the tread on the road instead of the sidewall, which saves both tire and rim.

How pure do you need your nitrogen?

Numerous opinions exist concerning what nitrogen inflation concentration is necessary to achieve the above benefits. If you are someplace between 93 and 98 percent pure on your tires’ nitrogen gas concentration, it should work. That’s what NASCAR does, so consumers looking for auto loans for their hybrid sedans should also be satisfied.

NASCAR favors predictable nitrogen inflation

Losing tire pressure during a NASCAR event can turn the tide. It could lead to a pit stop or even cause a chain of accidents. That is why racecar drivers have switched to nitrogen inflation in recent years. Why Nitrogen? indicates that this is partly because nitrogen doesn’t fluctuate under temperature extremes as oxygen does. Good inflation remains much a lot more constant. Commercial airlines and also the government use nitrogen for comparable reasons.

Additional info at these websites

Why Nitrogen?

getnitrogen.org/why/index.php

Amendment for instant money debit card hits consumers in their wallet

Former White House Press Secretary and current Fox News commentator Dana Perino warns consumers that there’s trouble brewing in Congress. This trouble could make debit card purchases significantly a lot more costly. To be clear, it will actually affect almost all consumer purchases and debit card interchange fees could be the cause, claims Perino.

Resource for this article: Fast cash debit card amendment hits consumers within the wallet

Debit card interchange fees mean instant cash loans for banks

Courtesy of an unheralded amendment to the financial reform law as pushed by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, the Federal Reserve would like to be able to take control of pay day debit cardinterchange rates. As Dana Perino like to describe them, an interchange rate is “money that a retailer’s bank pays your bank whenever you use your credit or debit card at their store.” This money is a valuable resource to smaller financial institutions; without interchange rates, it would be extremely difficult for these smaller banks to offer the essential services to their customers.

If the Federal Reserve were to cut off the income stream, smaller banks would have no choice but to pass on the cost to customers. In many of these cases, this would drive them to larger, more impersonal banks that won’t have as much competition and can charge a lot more for credit services. Consumers who balk at this will have to rely on cash, checks or payday advances unsecured personal loans for their transactions, which offer no insurance on the back end within the event of fraud.

Financial reform advanced by Dick Durbin's amendment

Consumers have the pictures painted for them by Dana Perino also. Just think what retailers would do if transactions cost them more. Customers will have the cost passed to them. Most retailers already do this. In addition, no-fee checking would die, along with various rewards programs as banks look to make up for income lost following the Durbin amendment.

Controls on price don't work

Price controls haven't worked within the past. The blog Wizbang uses the example of past gas prices in Hawaii. Dana Perino points to Australian legislation from 2003. Retailers began charging a lot more for plastic then. What Perino and many other concerned consumers are wondering is how something like the Dick Durbin amendment can sneak in without much attention, and will these consumers have to depend upon fast cash secured loans with no credit check a lot more often.

Read more on this topic here

Fox News
foxnews.com/opinion/2010/06/04/dana-perino-dick-durbin-senate-amendment-federal-reserve/
Wizbang
wizbangblog.com/content/2006/05/08/why-price-controls-dont-work.php

Shrek glass recall - Beware ogres bearing cadmium

Children the world over know and love the cantankerous Hollywood ogre known as “Shrek,” but following the recent Shrek glass recall, children may need to worry about the health standards of the denizens of Far, Far Away. The Shrek glasses were shown to have the toxic metal cadmium within the character paint, which is a distressing turn in the promotion of the “Shrek Forever After” film. Federal regulators found the toxic metal in the paint, and now a 12 million Shrek glass recall is underway, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Each $ 2 Shrek recall glass is infected

The Shrek glass recall is going to put the squeeze on each and every participating McDonald’s restaurant across the U.S., because child safety is of the utmost importance. Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California got the ball rolling on the Shrek glass recall after receiving an anonymous tip. Rep. Speier received an anonymous tip regarding the possible presence of cadmium, and she in turn informed the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Cadmium itself is a toxic metal that can cause kidney, lung, intestinal and bone damage. Why cadmium was found and where the Shrek glasses came from have yet to be revealed by the Kingdom of the Big Mac.

CPSC found cadmium and pressured McDonald’s into Shrek glass recall. Consumers have been urged to keep the Shrek glass recall items away from children and to return them to McDonald’s for a full refund.

Busting McDonald’s chops

If McDonald’s and other companies pay more careful heed to “thoroughly reviewing their domestic and international supply chains to keep products with potentially dangerous elements from ever hitting their shelves,” said Rep. Speier, it will come none too soon.

Cadmium traces found in toys and jewelry

Cadmium-tainted jewelry has prompted recalls at big-box stores like Wal-Mart before. Previously recalled discount children’s toys have also been found to be contaminated by the toxic metal. These are typically the kinds of toys that do not require parents to take out installment loans with no credit check to be able to afford them. Legislation banning the use of cadmium has been championed by lawmakers like Rep. Speier, by the way. Paying attention to things like cadmium following the Shrek glass recall will hopefully be on the front burner for corporate monoliths like McDonald’s from this point forward.

Citations

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mcdonalds-recall-20100604,0,1192411.story

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadmium

Raging gusher overwhelms oil spill cap - Oil spill live feed

The oil spill cap, BP’s latest attempt to gain control of the epic disaster that has been unfolding within the Gulf of Mexico for 48 days, is being overwhelmed by the massive gusher of crude at the bottom of the sea. The leak appears to be continuing to spill just as much. Yet the fraction of crude the oil spill cap does collect is overwhelming the capacity of the ship storing it on the surface. As the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010 grows larger, it becomes increasingly harder to contain as it breaks up into hundreds of meandering slicks that wash ashore at times and in places that are impossible to predict. By the time relief wells could ultimately stop the leak in August, the spill can be as much as 200 million gallons.

Article Source: Raging gusher overwhelms oil spill cap – Oil spill live feed

Oil spill live feed – true size of leak

The BP oil spill live feed shows a billowing, brown cloud entirely obscuring the oil spill cap as many of the crude gushing from the stricken wellhead continues to escape into the sea. The oil spill cap scenario seems to confirm all of the claims by scientists that BP and government officials have underestimated the quantity of the leak. As outlined by Reuters, U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said at a news conference in Washington that government scientists are working to establish a more solid leak rate. He said BP had prepared to bring in 20,000 barrels per day from the well — a comment that indicated government estimates of a flow of 12,000 to 19,000 barrels daily were low. The upper range was put at 25,000. Scientists thought the number might be much higher.

Getting exact same day payday loans

BP said that the oil spill cap got 11,100 barrels of oil on Sunday. 20,000 barrels a day is the goal amount. At the very same time, the high side estimate of the oil spill adds up to about 118 million gallons in the 48 days since the Deepwater Horizon exploded, sank, killed 11 people and launched the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010. It was reported by the Associated Press the oil slick has broken into hundreds of thousands of individual patches stretching from 100 miles east of the Texas-Louisiana border to near the middle of the Florida Panhandle and down to the open sea about 150 miles west of Tampa, Fla.

Oil spill cap isn't doing well with the pressure

The oil spill cap was made with four vents that are there to keep the intense pressure of the gusher from overcoming the device. It was reported by the New York Times that the sheer volume of oil gushing from the out-of-control well forced BP to leave 3 vents open. Besides just one vent closed the oil spill cap was capturing a lot more crude than could actually be processed on a drill ship that was at the surface. The Discoverer Enterprise drill ship can only manage 15,000 barrels a day. There are shuttle barges to carry oil from the ship to the storage tanks on shore. Admiral Allen said BP is looking at bringing in larger production vessels that can withstand coming hurricanes. He stressed the ultimate solution to plugging the well is the drilling of two relief wells, which are scheduled to be completed in August.

Oil spill havoc continues

Due to the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010, one-third of the federal waters off the gulf are closed to any and all fishing, and also the spill is killing and injuring birds and marine animals. Admiral Allen said shoreline cleanup will last for years. It was reported by the Washington Post that floating booms deployed on the water are of limited use in preventing oil from reaching the shore. Allen said shoreline cleanup will last for years. To help with the cleanup, BP has spent more than $1 billion. The company said it has spent one more $48.1 million on about 18,000 claims from fishermen, companies and others harmed by the spill and is working through 17,000 a lot more claims.

A lot more information on this topic

Reuters
reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65634V20100607
Yahoo via Associated Press
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gulf_oil_spill
Yahoo via New York Times
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gulf_oil_spill

Some surprises contained in the 2010 MLB Draft results

The first round of the 2010 MLB Draft is on the books, and it would be safe to say that there were some surprises tucked in among the a lot more expected 2010 MLB Draft results. Possibly the two biggest surprises are that Cal State Fullerton shortstop Christian Colon moved all the way up to the fourth pick for the Kansas City Royals and Texas A and M right-hander Barrett Loux made a splash as the sixth pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both players went higher than projected, writes Bleacher Report.

Article Source: 2010 MLB Draft results contain some surprises By Personal Money Store

2010 MLB Draft results for Bryce Harper as expected

Bryce Harper was surely the first overall selection. The Washington Nationals look forward to proving that their own 2010 MLB Draft results are a signpost pointing toward better days for the franchise. Following the Stephen Strasburg draft in 2009, the Harper draft is viewed as huge jackpot for the talent-starved D.C. team. Getting Strasburg and Harper in consecutive drafts is just like winning the lottery twice, or finding a golden ticket for free payday loans. Willy Wonka locked up those tickets.

You can never have enough pitching

Barrett Loux was selected sixth, but this shouldn’t at all come as a surprise, indicates Bleacher Report. He faced top competition for a major college program, which counts considerably more than achievements in high school competition. He also has control of four quality pitches (fastball, curve, slider and changeup) One more pick was right-hander Anthony Ranaudo from Louisiana State University at number 39 for the Boston Red Sox. Ranaudo’s difficulty this past season was caused by an elbow problem. He was outstanding the previous season, nevertheless, and he’s still considered one of the best college arms in America.

An arm was went for by the San Diego Padres too

Many experts had forecasted the Padres would take University of Texas-Arlington outfielder Michael Choice with the ninth pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. Nevertheless, San Diego instead opted for family, drafting someone who was the son of former Padres pitching standout Ed Whitson, Karsten. Big, strong and durable, Karsten Whitson has a good fastball-curveball-changeup mix that served him well at Chipley High School in Florida. Choice went to the Oakland Athletics with the very next pick of the first round. It is appropriate, as his willingness to take a walk fits directly with Oakland GM Billy Beane’s offensive philosophy.

The Wimmers Wither

At number 21, Alex Wimmers was selected by the Minnesota Twins. This pick has left scouts scratching their heads, as the right-handed pitcher out of Ohio State University doesn’t blow hitters away with a big-time fastball like some of the pitchers on the board. He is a strike-thrower who can work very easily, nevertheless, which translates well within the Major Leagues. Considering that he went 9-0 with a 1.60 ERA in 73 innings pitched for the Buckeyes, striking out 86 while allowing only 58 hits, Wimmers’ mound routine obviously is working well. Results are what all the 2010 MLB Draft wants.

Read a lot more on this topic here

Bleacher Report
bleacherreport.com/articles/402864-first-round-picks

Lakeview Gusher, worst ever, will soon be beat by BP oil spill

The Lakeview Gusher of 1910 is in the news a century later thanks to the oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico 2010. The Lakeview Gusher, a California disaster of 100 years ago known now as the worst oil spill in U.S. history, will likely be dethroned by the BP oil spill, which shows no sign of being contained after 50 days. A century hence, the undersea gusher is overwhelming an oil spill cap on the oil spill live feed, which shows thousands of barrels a day nevertheless flowing into the sea.

Article Source: BP oil spill likely to pass the Lakeview Gusher as the worst ever

Lakeview Gusher: epic disaster

The Lakeview Gusher was an oil well blow-out disaster that began in March 1910 near Maricopa, Calif The Pasadena Star-News reports that 9 million barrels—378 million gallons of oil—was spilled in 18 months by the Lakeview Gusher. In 50 days, BP oil spill estimates run as high as 122 million gallons. Skeptical experts say that figure is far too low. The Lakeview Gusher spilled an average of approximately 48,000 barrels daily. The daily output of the BP oil spill has been estimated as high as 72,000 barrels (3 million gallons) a day.

A sea of oil on land

The Lakeview Gusher became the most productive oil well in California history, blow-out notwithstanding.At the start the gusher spilled 18,000 barrels a day to the ground. At its peak, 90,000 barrels a day escaped into the environment. A 60-acre lake formed from a river of oil flowing downhill from the well.William Rintoul, in his book, “Drilling Through Time,” said the lake allowed crews to recover so much oil that the price of oil fell in 1910.

Oil spill live feed defies estimates

The ruptured well's powerful jet of oil, as seen on the oil spill live feed, is overwhelming the oil spill cap, BP's latest effort to control the spill. BP claims the oil spill cap is a step forward in controlling the leak, but MSNBC reports that scientists viewing the oil spill live feed disagree. On Tuesday, BP said the oil spill cap siphoned 14,800 barrels of oil the previous day. Ira Leifer of the Flow Rate Technical Group, a panel of experts working to figure out just how much oil is leaking, said the gusher may be as high as 100,000 barrels a day.

Underwater plumes smother marine life

The worst threat to marine life in human history, as reported by the New York Times, is feared by scientists tracking huge underwater plumes deep in the gulf. The Times said that scientists cruising the gulf over the last two weeks detected a deeply submerged plume of oil roughly 15 miles wide, 3 miles long and about 600 feet high. The plume's center of mass floats about 3,600 to 4,300 feet deep. Microorganisms consuming oxygen out of the water as they break down the oil are creating a dead zone devoid of any marine life.

Additional information at these websites

pasadenastarnews.com

msnbc.msn.com

www.nytimes.com