Agassi admits mane was a wig (AFP)

AFP - Former tennis star Andre Agassi has admitted the lion mane-style hairstyle he sported during the 1990s was actually a wig, in extracts from his autobiography published in British newspapers Saturday.

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Obama lifts ban on US entry for those with HIV (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama said Friday the U.S. will overturn a 22-year-old travel and immigration ban against people with HIV early next year.

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'Single Ladies' is Tom Hanks' song of 2009 (AP)

AP - Tom Hanks is down with the single ladies.

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The Origins of the US Dollar

Philosopher Ayn Rand once pointed out that it was Americans who coined the phrase “to make money.” Rather than seeing wealth as something looted or distributed, Rand conceived of it as being earned and produced. In America, the embodiment of financial wealth is the US dollar, also known as ‘the buck’ and ‘the greenback’. It seems fitting, then, to reflect on the origins of the dollar – both where it came from and how it evolved into the fiat currency that it is today.

Early Origins

(Squeaky Marmot)

Contrary to general assumptions, the dollar existed before the United States was an independent and unified nation. Prior to the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress had authorized the government to issue dollars and coins for use as widely accepted tender amongst the thirteen British colonies. The term “dollar” itself actually owes to Spanish currency of the time, specifically the eight-real coin (also known as the Spanish dollar), and U.S. dollars were used side by side with their Spanish counterparts – which were accepted as legal tender until 1857 – during colonial times. In fact, the dollar wasn’t the only monetary system vying for widespread use in colonial America. In the Dutch New Netherland (New York) colony, for example, the lion dollar was the currency of choice. However, the U.S. dollar began separating itself from the pack following a Congressional resolution on August 8, 1786.

It was Alexander Hamilton’s leadership at the treasury department, however, which truly cemented the dollar’s status as the basic unit of account in the U.S. with the passage of the Coinage Act of 1792. The act mandated that a “dollar” be between 371 and 416 grains of silver and an “eagle” be between 247 and 270 grains of gold. (An eagle was said to be with 10 dollars, and a dollar worth one-tenth of an eagle.) Here, again, we see the influence of Spanish dollars on the fledgling American currency, as Hamilton based these silver and gold weights on the average weight of worn Spanish dollars. This act also commissioned the opening of a mint in Philadelphia, then the capital of the nascent country. Incidentally, the mint was the first federal building opened with authority from the United States Constitution.

Interestingly, the practice of putting presidents on the front of U.S. dollars is a rather modern tradition, beginning only in the early 1900’s. George Washington, the president most readily identified with the dollar, scoffed at the idea of using his face on money. To Washington, the very notion smacked of European monarchical tradition. As for the ubiquitous dollar sign ($), various theories have been proposed to explain its emergence. Rand, for instance, claimed that the dollar sign represented “U” and “S” superimposed, although this theory is questionable because the dollar sign predates the formation of the U.S. as an independent nation. Other theories reference the coat of arms found on Spanish colonial currency or suggest that it is nothing but an evolved scribal abbreviation for Spanish and Mexican pesos. The latter is perhaps the most widely believed, but historians remain divided on the exact ori! gin.

The Gold Standard

(Mykl Roventine)

Realizing that pieces of paper had no intrinsic value (and the inflationary dangers this posed) the U.S. government eventually put the dollar on what is known as a gold standard. Essentially, this meant that every dollar in circulation was “backed” by a certain amount of gold that citizens could demand in exchange for their dollars. The gold standard became law in 1900 with the passage of the Gold Standard Act, which aimed to, “…define and fix the standard of value, to maintain the parity of all forms of money issued or coined by the United States, to refund the public debt, and for other purposes”, according to HistoryCentral.com. Specifically, the Act mandated that each dollar in circulation be valued at $20.67 per ounce of gold. Under such a system, the treasury could not simply print money on whim, but only when and if ther! e were sufficient gold reserves. While the gold standard did indeed restrain inflation and promote sound monetary policy, it proved incapable of adapting to changing circumstances like wars and recessions. The standard was suspended twice during World War 1, for example, because European entities began owing by U.S. corporations in the form of gold. Thus began a massive gold outflow that continued unabated until the New York Stock Exchanged closed in 1914 and the gold standard was put on hold. To its credit, the U.S. restored the gold standard when the NYSE re-opened in December of that year, making the U.S. the only nation in the world to maintain its gold standard by that time.

It was not to last, however. When the Great Depression set in, currency speculators began demanding gold in exchange for their dollars en masse. While the Federal Reserve raised interest rates in an attempt to protect the gold standard, bank runs persisted throughout the early 1930’s. Finally, in 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt suspended the standard and revoked gold as universal legal tender for debts. Interestingly, even this suspension was considered to be temporary at the time – it was only the growing chaos of the depression which kept the restoration of the gold standard permanently on the back burner in terms of political importance. Nevertheless, the U.S. dollar’s relationship to gold grew more and more tenuous over the years.

The Fiat Standard

(Noellium)

The dollars we all use today operate independently of gold prices or any precious metals of intrinsic value. This is known as “fiat currency” – that is, the dollar’s value is only that which we collectively ascribe to it. Insofar as we value, accept and seek dollars as compensation, they have and will continue to have value. Transformation of the U.S. dollar into a fiat currency began in earnest in 1963, when the words “payable to bearer on demand” were left out of all newly printed Federal Reserve notes. Holders of pre-1963 currency could still redeem it for gold until 1968, when redemption was discontinued. Additionally, 1965’s Coinage Act stopped the practice of using silver in quarters and dimes, which were composed 90% of silver prior. In sum, this means that all of the roughly $829 billion worth of U.S. currency estimated to be in worldwide circulation in 2007 is redeemable for and intrinsically ! worth precisely nothing. The “real” value of U.S. currency begins and ends with the value of the paper it is printed on.

Despite being a fiat currency, the U.S. dollar serves as a sort of barometer for the health of the world’s financial system. Today, entire countries (such as Panama, the British Virgin Islands and El Salvador) peg their currency to the dollar just as the U.S. once pegged the dollar to gold; others go so far as using dollars in lieu of – or alongside – their own currencies. Evidently, the fact that the the dollar is backed by nothing but “the full faith and credit of the United States government” is convincing enough for our citizens and the rest of the world. Whether faith in the dollar will withstand unprecedented debt spending and a shaky world economy, however, is a question yet to be answered.

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Did President Clinton meet N. Korea's Kim Jong-il or his look-alike?

Seoul, South Korea – Will the real Kim Jong-il please stand up? A number of analysts here are convinced that not all the photos being released of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-il, are really photos of Kim Jong-il.

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Econ 223: Latest In Changing Financial World

NPR’s Tovia Smith last week introduced us to Anne Witte, an economics professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Witte co-teaches Econ 223, which is a primer on among other things: credit cards, health insurance and 401 (k) plans. Witte talks with Renee Montagne about the importance of the class.

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Halloween Costume Ideas

Anyone have an idea of any Halloween Costume Ideas? I'm having some trouble figuring it out. Perhaps a pro-wrestler. Or maybe an FBI agent. Or a witch. My friends all have different ideas. One is going to be a zebra, like last year. So this is what she did- she has long blond hair. She got some super hair wax and waxed it up in spikes. She then had to lay her head sideways for like an hour for it to solidify. Oh, and of course it was dyed. But her hair was so long that it wouldn't stay up, so she had to kind of twist it around, so it was going up, but in twists. Way impressive.

When I was little I knew a girl whose mom made her costume. It was a princess costume she loved so much- pink with a pokey hat. I never understood those tall, pokey hats. I always thought they'd be better for poking someone's eye out or starting a fight than for wearing. But whatever. She liked it. She had this teddy bear she loved. Her mom made a princess costume for Bear, too.

The conscious cook

The conscious cook. Is that unusual? Are you usually an unconscious cook? Actually this is a new cookbook full of meatless recipes. 50 meatless recipes to be exact. The author is Tal Ronnen who is the chef who Oprah used for a 21 day cleanse diet she was on.

If Oprah used it, you know it will be a hit. If Oprah's name is somehow attached to anything, it will be a giant hit. Remember a few months back when Oprah endorsed a free KFC chicken dinner? It was a huge success. When Oprah endorses a book through her book club, it becomes a New York Times best seller.

When Oprah wears a certain clothing or has someone on her show like Cookie Jeans, or whatever they are called, Cookie Jean sales go through the roof. So I have a sneaking suspicion Tal Ronnen's The Conscious Cook will be a huge success.

Reading, Writing, and…Credit Scoring?

jackhynes

Teaching Your Kids To Be Credit Score Savvy

To prepare your children for successful financial futures, you open savings accounts, pay allowances, and teach them to spend wisely. And with financial institutions toppling all around us, the woes of poor money management is more in the face of this generation than ever before. That’s why it’s up to you to use all the negative economic news to emphasize – from this day forward – that every financial decision they make will impact their credit score.

In the midst of the current credit crisis, a young person's credit score is more essential than ever. "Young adults today are confronted with a series of financial challenges that their parents never had to experience," says Dara Duguay, director of Citi's Office of Financial Education and author of Please Send Money: A Financial Survival Guide for Young Adults on their Own. "They have easier access to credit than older generations. Credit is a powerful tool, and a big responsibility."

The Financial Fingerprint

Teens must understand that their credit (FICO) score will essentially become their financial DNA. Just like you'd drill them with new vocabulary words to prepare for the SAT, you should also make sure they absorb the ins and outs of credit information. Let them know that they're striving for a "perfect score" of 850. Just as colleges look at SAT scores as indicators of academic success, credit scores will be used to predict grades of potential borrowers.

"Credit scoring is more stringent than ever," says Beth Frantz, a loan originator with Eagle Nationwide Mortgage Company who’s worked in the financial industry for 25 years. "We cannot lend to anyone with a credit score below 580… period," says Frantz, explaining why an excellent credit score is so important. "[A score of] 740 is now the benchmark for determining the best credit, and additional fees are charged for anything below 740. This is not lender specific – these are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac requirements now."

Adds Duguay, "Practicing good spending and payment habits now – and building a strong credit history – is essential to getting credit later to rent an apartment, buy or lease a car, or apply for a job."
While the mathematical models used to determine credit score are complex, the steps to obtaining one are not. Let your teen know that like a resume, a good credit score is something that is built over time – starting today.

Avoid the Early Credit Card Trap

"Credit cards have a message," says Paul Richard, the executive vice president of the National Center for Finance Education (NCFE), a nonprofit group dedicated to teaching money management. And that message is "spend."

The proper plastic position to take, says Frantz, is reminding your child that it's OK to be "poor" and do without while in college. "That's why they're there: to learn to earn."

Todd Huettner, a financial analyst and consultant specializing in credit issues, reminds parents that although these tips are obvious to adults, they may not be obvious to children who are accustomed to always seeing credit in use, so be sure to hammer the point home. "Use cash for all discretionary purchases," Huettner tells students. "If you run out of cash, then you are out of money. It takes self discipline."

So how can your teen build a credit history without plastic? For starters, consider that FICO uses credit diversity as 10 percent of the overall credit score. "The best way to establish credit is to save up enough money for a substantial down payment on a car," advises Frantz. "Teens may qualify for a car loan on their own or with their parents cosigning."

Officially on His Own

When your child is earning a regular income, he's finally ready for the responsibility of a credit card. Candi Hinton Sparks, author of the Can I Have Some Money?, puts it simply: "Have an income if you are going to use credit."

Encourage your teen to shop around. "Signing up for a credit card is not an impulse purchase – it takes research to find the best credit card," says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of Low Cards, the leading consumer resource for credit card information. "Compare cards by looking through terms and conditions and the actual interest rates and fees. Look for a card with a low APR, no annual fee, and a grace period of 21 days."

Dissuade your child from responding to every offer he receives "to build credit." Joseph Onesta, former director of education for Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Los Angeles, warns young adults to avoid the temptations of T-shirts and other freebies they can get for applying. "Excessive inquiries and application for credit can damage a credit score for upwards to two years," says Onesta, and such activity comprises 10 percent of the overall FICO.

And, don't try building your child's credit history by adding him as an authorized user on your own credit cards. "New FICO scoring guidelines don't create a score for authorized users," advises Siegel, "so this will not establish a credit profile."

Young adults can, however, build credit by taking out student loans, explains Bob Friedman, director of student finance at Yeshiva University. “Students should borrow only what is needed and exhaust federally guaranteed student loans first." Then they can use state and institution loan programs to bridge any gaps.

Using Credit Responsibly

The ultimate goal is not just to establish credit, but to establish good credit. At 35 percent, punctuality of payments is the single largest contributor to one's credit score. Since you won't always be around to remind your teen to send a payment, encourage her to sign up for payment alerts or schedule payments online.

And stress that credit does not replace cash. "Credit cards are not supplemental income intended to help people buy things they can't afford," reinforces Onesta. "Those who get the most out of their credit cards understand the value is convenience, not available credit."
It's just as important to not use all available credit. "Maxing out a credit card is nearly as bad as being late [with payments] in terms of the immediate impact on the credit scores," cautions Patrick Ritchie, author of The Credit Road Map. A significant 30 percent of the FICO score is represented by the utilization rate – the ratio of debt (balances owed) to total available credit (credit limits). The lower the utilization rate, the better the credit score.

Patience, Planning, and Self-Control

A good credit score takes years to develop, but far less time to destroy, and raising a low credit score isn't easy. Scott Mitic, founder and CEO of TrustedID, a consumer and business identity theft protection company, says, "There is no quick fix. It's like losing weight. There are things you can do to look better for a few weeks, but if you really want good credit health, you must behave well over a long period of time."

It's important to teach your kids about responsible spending while you are still there to support them. Gayle Reaume Skiera, founder of The Money Academy, an educational company that works with youth to help them become financially independent and responsible – sums it up well. "Kids learn best through hands-on experience. Transfer financial responsibility to kids gradually, letting them make decisions and mistakes while the stakes are small."

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I have so much music in my I-tunes

It makes it really difficult for me to be able to organize my music. I can never tell how much music I have. I can never remember which music I have. I love music a lot. I have a few days worth of music. It makes it much harder to do anything with.

I hate having to try and organize it when I have no idea what music I have in it. It is really fun to sit and listen to the music though. I love listening to music for a ton of time. I love going through my music but it just takes so much time sometimes. I need to go through and delete everything I don't like.

Free Google Voice Invite Giveaway

I almost forgot, I’m wanted to give away my Google Voice invite to a randomly chosen reader. So if you liked the features and money-saving opportunities, you can enter for a free GV invite by leaving a comment under this post with your First name (or nickname) only and valid e-mail address (will not be shown or shared). You can leave the actual comment box blank. For the first drawing, I’ll run it for 24 hours until 10/21 at 6pm Pacific. I’ll give out more if they put some more in my account.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Winners chosen randomly. One entry per person. Good luck!

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UCSB

USCS is the University of California at Santa Barbara. My sister-in-law went to UCSB. It was wonderful to visit her. The campus was right on the beach, northwest of Los Angeles about 100 miles.

I know UC Santa Barbara is a good school, rated high for colleges, has something like 5 Nobel Prize winners, requires a 3.71 GPA just to apply, etc. etc. But that's not why I liked to visit my sister-in-law. It was for the beach, the bike riding along the beach, the swimming in the ocean, the friendly students, the warm weather, Mission Santa Barbara, the museums, the zoo, the arts, sailboat cruises, the golf courses, the Botanic gardens, tide pools, open air markets, the parties, well, you understand.

There's even a butterfly reserve. It is free to go in and the butterflies land right on your hand. They are gentle and graceful. And don't forget to visit Solvang, a Danish town with the best pastries and shops around. If you are thinking of attending UCSB, I would say, Yes.

Common-Sense Retirement Investing

Create the life you desire

Start planning now for your sunset years (Photo: wikimedia.org)

In this last article of the retirement series, you will learn how to create a sustainable lifetime income without having to resort to annuities or credit cards. You desire to live well and maintain your standard of living in your retirement years, but you do not know how to do it without depending on what may be shifty advice from a broker or financial advisor. It's time to put some common sense into your retirement investing. Follow these strategies and you will be well on your way to creating the life you desire.

Start as young as possible

The younger you start investing in your retirement fund, the more you will be able to make in the long term. However, it is human nature to put this off until the last possible minute. This is not advisable…let me tell you why. Say you start investing when you are 25 years old, and you put in $10,000 in a retirement account with annual additions of $5,000. Your interest rate is a generous 6% compounded annually. In 40 years when you reach 65, you will have $923,095.60. Pretty impressive, right?

But what if you wait 10 years? At 35, you start with the same amount of principal, and the same amount of money added annually. Everything remains the same, except you only have 30 years instead of 40. Now, you would only have $476, 443.30. That is a LOSS of almost $500,000!! OUCH! And what a big loss! … click here to read the rest of the article titled “Common-Sense Retirement Investing“

sweetest day 2009

2009 has been hard on a lot of people. There have been a lot of people lose their jobs, others have lost their homes, others have been sick, some have died. Maybe we need to focus on the good things that have happened in 2009. Maybe something as simple as the sweetest day you had in 2009. What was your sweetest day 2009?

Mine will be when a friend of mine gets married in December. I know many people have had children or grandchildren born. Some have gone on trips. Some have had business successes. Some have found new love. Some have found a new recipe or a new book they have enjoyed reading. That can be the sweetest day if it's been a rough year. Some have found a new friend. Some have bought a home. Some have finally sold a home that they have had on the market for a long time. What is your sweetest day 2009?

Returning hunger for retail therapy thaws out credit cards

Aba Kwawu vowed she’d buy only one or two classic pieces for work that would last her for years. So what was she doing recently at the cash register of a Washington boutique, credit card in hand, agonizing over whether to buy a flashy designer purse with faux snake trim?

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Will Cell Phones Replace Credit Cards?

Cell phones and credit

In many countries outside the U.S., cell phones have replaced credit cards. In Japan and Finland, for example, travelers rarely carry cash, checks or credit cards, but rather swipe their phones or send text messages to pay for train rides.

In the U.S., the cell phone hasn't yet reached this capability, mostly because of carriers who cannot settle on how that service's revenues would be divided amongst each company. One up-and-coming company, however, thinks it just may have a handle on how to make it work. Paymo is a mobile payment network and it has so far confirmed deals with AT&T, T-Mobile, Cellular One and Virgin Mobile, allowing consumers to make online purchases with their phones.

Their business model is quick and simple. When a consumer decides to purchase an item, they click on a Paymo logo, much like the PayPal logo. This takes them to the online checkout area where they enter their cell phone number. A text is sent via Paymo to their cell phone asking for a verification on the purchase. Once the customer replies, the transaction is verified and completed. The item will then be either deducted from the owner's prepaid account or be itemized on their next cell phone bill.

Paymo in the U.S.

Paymo is used in about 45 countries, and it's slowly working its way into the online business world. Credit card companies, banks and mobile carriers have tried in the past to work out a deal that allows for online pay tied to cell phone accounts. So far two methods have been tried in the U.S. The first allows customers to wave their phones in front of a reader for payment. The second allows them to pay via a text message confirmation process. Neither one has taken off with the American public. … click here to read the rest of the article titled “Will Cell Phones Replace Credit Cards?“

Fed Study Unintentionally Paints Rosier Picture for Payday Loans

Why Use Credit Cards When There Are Payday Loans?

This Federal Reserve/Vanderbilt/Penn study tries to connect payday loans to credit ruin, but what they leave out suggests a rosier alternative. (Photo: flickr.com)

Credit cards have proven to be both a useful tool in establishing a credit history and a bane to those consumers who hope to maintain a good credit history. The temptation to “swipe and go” has been actively cultivated by the American media. With the magic plastic in hand, consumption is quick and easy. Those who pay off their credit cards each month may escape the revolving interest trap, but the vast majority of credit card users must not pay their balances in full. If they did, why would credit card companies offer reward programs? If consumers weren’t tied into earning points and paying interest fees, the programs wouldn’t be profitable for the companies. … click here to read the rest of the article titled “Fed Study Unintentionally Paints Rosier Picture for Payday Loans“

It’s hard to believe that we are fastly approaching the holidays

Along with the holidays comes the mailing of cards and packages to loved ones. The USPS, or post office, has announced the dates you should get packages, etc., in to the mail in order to get everything delivered in time for the holidays.

The USPS Holidays deadlines are as follows. Do you have a loved one stationed overseas? November 13th is the deadline for the sending of overseas packages if you want them to reach their destination by December 25th. This includes APO addresses to the troops. APO mailing is wonderful. When my friend was in Iraq, I could mail packages to his APO address at the same cost it would have cost for me to mail it just down the street.

However, APO mailing can be slow as the US government sends APO packages on military service planes so it is not as speedy as we might hope. There are also flat rate boxes, which are one price no matter how heavy the things you send. You could fill it with bricks and it would still be the same price.

Anyway, other deadlines are December 4 for first class mail as in letters and cards. December 1 is the deadline for Parcel Airlift Mail and Priority mail is December 4th, however, some of this will depend on where you are mailing it to and from, so if you have a question, check with your post office. The sooner the better when it comes to mailing packages this holiday season, so I guess I better get shopping

McDonald’s Monopoly Game time

Do you know what time of year it is?

I don't mean Fall, or October, or the 3rd quarter, I'm talking about McDonald's Monopoly Game time of year. I just got my McDonald's monopoly game board and can't wait to fill it up. The game runs from October 6 to November 2, 2009. So I can be a millionaire before Christmas! They even have an online game this year and every night on the Jay Leno Show, $1 million dollars will be given away.

People are already selling stamps on eBay. I saw a Park Place today for sale for $9.99 on eBay. Although I want to win the million dollars, I would be pretty happy to win the Xbox, the $25,000 cash, even the $25 Arch Card or the $50 Shell gift card (with the price of gas these days) being given away every 15 minutes.

Okay, really, I'd be happy to win a dollar burger. Anyway, have you ever thought of what you would do if you won a million dollars? Some people say they would quit their jobs. I don't think I would do that, because you still have the rest of your life to pay for. $1 million dollars will only go so far if you quit working. But I think I would pay off my home and put some away for children's college.

I would try to invest my money so that it would last the rest of my life. I would do very low risk investments, though. I wouldn't want to lose it all. I would go on a family vacation, probably pay for my parents and all my brothers and sisters to come with us on a Caribbean cruise. Bask in the warm sun, visit the isles. And I would never again wonder if I could afford to stop at McDonald's!

Payday Loans No Faxing Required | Help in Distressing Situations

Apply HERE for Payday Loans No Faxing Required

[application_form]

No faxing or credit checks in most cases

(Photo courtesy of freerangestock.com)

Payday loans of the no faxing kind are a very beneficial lending product for people who depend solely on their paycheck for almost all of their monthly expenditures. Unless you are a billionaire or were born into a royalty, you’ll likely be in the class that lives from paycheck to paycheck. Bad credit is okay with these types of payday loans which are very similar to bad credit installment loans.

However,  then a no fax payday loan can prove to be a very suitable financial relief option with which you can arrange for some quick cash to be direct deposited into your savings or checking account.

Spendable cash in just 2 hours

With payday loans no faxing required you can have spendable cash in your account in just a couple of hours. Payday loans can be acquired quickly because they have a small number of required prerequisite qualifications and are easy to process, providing you that cash you need for immediate use. … click here to read the rest of the article titled “Payday Loans No Faxing Required | Help in Distressing Situations“

My favorite language is that of gibberish

Sometimes people talk in gibberish and don't even know it. I know someone who always thinks that he is right. I am pretty sure that this guy talks in gibberish all the time. Nothing he says ever makes sense. He should really have his own language. There are just some people like that. People should spend less time speaking gibberish.

I wish that there were more intelligent people in the world that could speak correctly and make sense all the time. Some people just mumble on forever and ever about the most pointless things. It is really annoying to hear people go off for so long about things that make no sense. I think gibberish should be a real language so that when people speak gibberish it doesn't make them sound so crazy.

Short Term Loans | $1,500 Direct Deposit in 2 Hours

Apply here for Short Term Loans!

[application_form]

What is a short term loan?

Short term loans are typically less than $1,500 and do not require faxing or credit checks. Short term loans are similar to installment loans for bad credit and no fax pay day loans.

Short term loans are provided by most banks and other financial institutions, but they come at the cost of a credit check and an application process that is anything but hassle free. The right choice is to apply for short term loans online. The application process takes only a few minutes, and the loan funds are directly deposited to your account in as little as 2 hours.

Am I eligible for a short term loan?

Everybody can apply for a short term loan. You just need to be the citizen of the country where you are applying for the loan. Secondly, you need to have an active checking or savings account where the loan money will be transferred. Third, you must be 18 or older. … click here to read the rest of the article titled “Short Term Loans | $1,500 Direct Deposit in 2 Hours“

Ho Ho No: Retailers Open Christmas Season Early

This weekend, store shelves are piled high with Halloween costumes, plastic pumpkins and candy-corn treats. But right next to the goblins, you’re likely to find Santa, too. That’s because store managers are trying to get a head start on the holiday shopping season.

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Skies Still Partly Cloudy For Airline Passengers

This past week brought mixed news for airline passengers. A new FAA report showed service has been improving amid the travel slump. Fewer planes mean fewer delays and lost luggage. But airlines are also making holiday travelers pay new surcharges. Passengers at the Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport share their thoughts.

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Most people have a wedding cake at their wedding reception

When my friend got married a couple years ago, she decided to have pie instead. I think she had a small cake though, but that was mostly for the sake of taking pictures with a cake, I think. I think it’s funny how many traditions we have and the need that we have to follow them.

Who invented them anyway? Do we really know? I suppose the origins of these traditions are probably somewhere floating around. There’s probably a meaning behind all of them that has gotten lost in all the formalities. We don’t absolutely need to know what the meanings are, but wouldn’t it be nice to know why you do certain things?

Arianne Provost

Arianne Provost seems to be a girl that’s just like one of the guys. The 23 year old from Satellite Beach, Florida, just made headlines for bagging an 11 foot American Alligator with a crossbow.

She shot the aquatic carnivorous lizard three times in total, and after it was tied down (after being shot) she delivered the coup de grace. Crossbow hunting is only legal in some states. They are controversial because it can be done by rank amateurs, whereas hunting with archery takes years to develop skill.

This means that some hayseed can put an arrow into anything with a crossbow – which can be a very painful death, if you don’t know WHERE to shoot. (A bullet is at least quicker.) That said, Arianne Provost won’t need payday cash for an alligator steak anytime soon.

Americans Look to Personal Loans as Airlines Lose Big

The post-recession numbers

Americans are still looking to personal loans for funding due to the struggling economy. The latest study showing that the country is still reeling from the recession involves the airline industry. The world's airline industry stands to lose approximately $9 billion in 2009, which is almost double the projected loss. A spokesperson for the International Air Transport Association, IATA, an organization that represents 230 worldwide airlines, announced that the industry is in a "rapidly deteriorating revenue environment."

Airline industry is not optimistic

Though many experts still see a bottoming-out of the economy, the IATA says the industry was so severely hit that they will have a difficult time recovering. "Weak consumer confidence, high business inventories and rising oil prices pose headwinds for future recovery," added the spokesperson.

Overall airline industry revenues are slated to lose $448 billion this year, which is an almost incomprehensible dip of approximately 15% from last year. IATA CEO Giovanni Bisignani stated, "There is no modern precedent for today's economic meltdown. The ground has shifted. Our industry has been shaken. This is the most difficult situation that the industry has faced."

Airline jobs not secure

Due to the industry's situation, the effects are expected to hit employees hard. Passenger traffic for this year is expected to decline by 8%, with cargo demand falling 17%. An additional 100,000 jobs worldwide are threatened due to the state of the airline industry. Bisignani is urging the government to "lift restrictions on routes and cooperation between airlines to bolster the global airline industry." It is his hope that a global push for the market will ease the struggle. … click here to read the rest of the article titled “Americans Look to Personal Loans as Airlines Lose Big“