Healthcare.gov launches insurance solution finder

As a part of the changes mandated by the new health insurance reform bill, healthcare.gov launched today. An advice website that aims to provide possibilities for everyone within the country, healthcare.gov functions as both search engine and advice. The site will help individuals conserve money, but even more so within the next few years.

Resource for this article: Healthcare.gov launches insurance solution finder by Personal Money Store

The mandate for healthcare.gov

A part of the new health care bill was the mandate for a healthcare website to be created. The half search engine, half info website has been built for easy use. The bill mandated a health insurance search. Government health insurance exchanges won't open until 2014, but the search is already active.

How healthcare.gov understands insurance

The healthcare.gov user interface is intended for simple use. First of all, the site asks you questions to help make your possibilities more relevant. The website answers basic health insurance questions as well as state health insurance exchanges. There is also an “understanding the new law” section that outlines all the coming changes with the new health care law. The site also grades hospitals around the country, based on the health outcomes in their facilities. In short, healthcare.gov is aiming to be the ultimate web destination for healthcare info.

The ways healthcare.gov will end up helping

Buying around for the best prices on insurance can be incredibly difficult. The healthcare.gov website compiles the prices and information of insurance around the country. The website also asks for and welcomes feedback from every person who makes use of the website. When exchanges go live in a couple of years, this will help the website be the best it can be. The website will even help individuals save money, because they will reduce insurance costs from plans to prevention.

Second amendment ruling from the Supreme Court

In the final decision of the Supreme Court of the United States this session, the Supreme Court position on gun control has been clarified. This ruling does strike down laws that limit handgun ownership – to a point. For probably the most part, McDonald v. Chicago clarifies the 2008 decision striking down a Washington D.C. law.

Article resource: Supreme Court Rules on gun control in Second Amendment case by Personal Money Store

SCOTUS rules on gun ownership

Within the last three years, the Supreme Court has rendered two decisions on the constitutionality of gun bans. Probably the most recent case, McDonald v. Chicago, challenged the ability of Chicago to ban handguns. Handgun ownership can’t be banned in federal districts, as outlined by the 2008 Supreme Court ruling. This second ruling confirms that the very same standard applies to states and cities. Within the written decision of the 5-4 ruling, Alito wrote that “self-defense is a basic right… individual self-defense is ‘the central component’ of the Second Amendment .”

Some legislation can nevertheless be constitutional

Gun-limiting legislation is not entirely unconstitutional, though – the ruling does leave open a possibility of future legislation. The original 2008 ruling was repeated when the majority decision stated “recognized that the right to keep and bear arms is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whichever purpose.” In other words, cities, states and also the federal government does nevertheless have the right to legislate and limit guns. The right to own guns, though, may nevertheless supersede the right of the government to limit that ownership.

Other rulings of the court

Today, the court handed down decisions far beyond just the Second Amendment. The Court declared the Public Business Accounting Board, as it was created, is unconstitutional. This is a board that was designed in 2002 to audit public companies, in response to the failure of Enron and WorldCon. The board can be made constitutional if the Securities and Exchange Commission gets more control over the board. The court also rendered decisions in Bilski v. Kappos, which denied a patent for a strategy in hedging financial risk.

Personal finance savvy rising, but high credit card debt persists

Americans are more educated about credit than they were before the recession; 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 don’t even 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 explains to us that Americans still aren’t making the most of hard-learned instant cash credit lessons learned during the recession. Adults who are 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).

Prevailing is credit card debt

Credit card companies are probably 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 all of the 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 negatively impacts credit score, 18 percent 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.

Given is advice on personal finance

To gain a lot of knowledge about personal finance, AOL Money Coach Jennifer Openshaw has advice for consumers who want to be smarter when it comes to credit. You need to figure out your card rates. And once you do, take the initiative to ask for a lower rate. About 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 makes a difference to your credit card

Openshaw makes the suggestion that you learn what affects your credit score. You should know that closing 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 may be better to take the temporary hit to your score so you have fewer sources of temptation. Finally, you should probably cut your costs on current debt, consider paying off all your debts with one lower interest rate bank loan, but don’t do it on a credit card.

Additional information at these websites

Bankrate Inc.

bankrate.com/

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

nfcc.org/

Jennifer Openshaw

coaches.aol.com/money/jennifer-openshaw

Despite the fact that it is veering from the gulf oil spill, Hurricane Alex nevertheless threatens

Until Tuesday, Hurricane Alex probably won't become a hurricane. But for now, tropical storm Alex, the first named storm of the 2010 hurricane season, seems to be heading from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010. South Texas and northeastern Mexico has been given a hurricane warning. On day 69 of the gulf oil spill about 116 million gallons of crude have fouled the gulf, as reported by government estimates.

Source for this article: Hurricane Alex veers away from gulf oil spill but still threatens by Personal Money Store

Oil could be pushed onto shore by Hurricane Alex

A hurricane watch shows that hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. If the tropical storm conforms to forecasts and becomes Hurricane Alex, the storm’s center isn’t really expected to approach the area of the oil spill off Louisiana’s coast. But Stacy Stewart, senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, told CNN that Alex’s outer wind field could push oil from the spill farther inland and hinder operations in the area. Its center is coming from the Yucatan peninsula and is headed for the Texas-Mexico border.

Oil spill containment seems to be threatened by Hurricane Alex

Oil spill containment operations and efforts to cap the gushing well would be suspended if Hurricane Alex did end up approaching the northeastern part of the Gulf. ABC News reports that when Alex became the first named storm of hurricane season 2010 which began June 1, officials quickly worried what effect it could have on efforts to contain the millions of gallons of crude spewing into the sea and washing up on beaches.

Hurricane Alex could change course

While the storm continues, 50 mph winds extend 70 miles from the storm's center. It is moving north-northwest near 7 mph. According to CNN, National Hurricane Center forecasters have not ruled out an easterly shift in Alex’s path. If Hurricane Alex were to change its existing course, the oil spill cap placed over the blown-out well that’s capturing some of the crude would have to be taken out within the event of a hurricane. Ships drilling relief wells would have to suspend operations. On their present schedule, the relief wells, which are considered to be the best hope to stop the leak, are projected to be done by August.

Crude oil futures are sensitive to the storm track

As hurricane season 2010 settles in, an indication of how oil prices may be suffering from coming storms emerged. As Hurricane Alex veers from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010, the Wall Street Journal reports that crude oil futures Monday backed off from seven-week highs. Even though the storm could make the affects of the oil spill worse, what matters more to the world is more oil production, and fears that the developing tropical storm would disrupt oil production eased. As a result, prices for light sweet crude for August delivery fell to $78.11 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Discover more about this topic here:

CNN

cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/06/28/tropical.storm.alex/index.html?npt=NP1

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Business/wirestory?id=11033517&page=1

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100628-706482.html

Wedding Cans Update - Peter and Andrea reach 5-ton goal

Just in time for their wedding day, the Wedding Cans couple has successfully achieved their goal to collect 400,000 cans to pay for their wedding – completed in just eight months! Who would have ever thought that collecting aluminum cans could pay for a whole entire wedding? Although some may call it crazy, this Spokane couple is proving that great success could be achieved through the craziest ideas.

Article resource: Wedding Cans Update – Peter and Andrea reach 5-ton goal by Personal Money Store

Ringing success with wedding cans

With the help of the United Recycling Services, Alcoa Aluminum and the outpouring support from people across the world, Andrea Parrish and Peter Geyer have reached 100 percent of their goal in just 197 days. Geyer and Parrish will wed next month on July 31 at the Corbin Art Center in Spokane, Wash., where wedding cans will ring, not just for intimate love, but for their outstanding achievement.

“The response to this project has been overwhelming,” Andrea said./p>

“The most exciting thing about the project is how numerous people have borrowed the idea,” added Peter. “We have other engaged couples recycling for their weddings and honeymoons — even a woman collecting cans to pay for her liver transplant.”

Using only 40 percent for their honeymoon, Peter and Andrea plan to donate more than 50 percent of the proceeds of any additional cans they collect to nonprofits Rim Country Land Institute and Doctors Without Borders.

Wedding Cans is surely a story to remember

Although the couple has suffered through numerous challenges on their quest to collect five tons of aluminum cans to help fund their summer wedding, the two have remained loyal to their values, as well as the crazy idea that came to mind at 1 o’clock one morning. In an era of extreme consumerism and outlandish wedding costs, Peter and Andrea are truly admired for their fearless efforts of dedicated probably the biggest moment of their lives to saving our planet. Congratulations to Peter and Andrea on their Wedding Cans success!

Get more info about Wedding Cans at www.weddingcans.com

Rodolfo Torre slaying puts many spotlight on peso, border security

The recent assassination of popular Mexican gubernatorial candidate Rodolfo Torre has proven the northeast Mexican state of Tamaulipas is not just a flash point in Mexico’s drug war, but of great concern in the ongoing battle for U.S. border security. As outlined by Reuters, Torre – an opposition candidate representing the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) – was slain along with four of his aides within the border town of Valle Hermoso. The responsible party of 16 hooded gunmen is believed to represent the notorious Los Zetas gang.

Source of article: Rodolfo Torre slaying puts spotlight on peso, border security by Personal Money Store

Rodolfo Terre's killing keeps border security agents and the investors worried

Since it started in 2006, Mexico’s drug war has claimed more than 25,000 lives, when violent gun battles started spilling to the streets, but Rodolfo Torre’s death is allegedly the largest-scale example to date of a drug cartel attempting to influence Mexico’s politics. Tourists are reportedly avoiding Tamaulipas and numerous of the foreign investors have bailed on the peso in large numbers. Reuters says that its recent position at 12.71 per $ 1 U.S. was .46 percent weaker. Televised images of Rodolfo Torre’s body within the media have done nothing to reverse this trend. In addition, local stocks remained flat as news out of the recent G-20 summit point toward an end to fiscal stimulus in the region.

Border security influencing the credit pictures for Mexico

According to the Wall Street Journal, Credit Suisse has had some good things to say about Mexico’s financial condition. Particularly, Credit Suisse praised the nation’s “record or near-record low yields on government debt,” and pointed out to numerous that Mexico’s central bank is enjoying a nice level of inflation that rests within what experts consider to be a comfort zone. The inflation level ranged just lately from 2 to 4 percent recently. Furthermore, Credit Suisse believes that Mexico’s recovering growth is, “as good as it gets.”

Creditors have been given pause by Mexico's ongoing drug war. “The violence problem seems to have worsened notably in 2010, with the number of drug-related killings making new highs, and with organized crime defying the state a lot more openly than ever before,” added Credit Suisse. “We are not certain this is as bad as it gets on the security front, unfortunately.”

Washington is watching closely

The United States is apparently noticing. The death of Rodolfo Torre just a stone’s throw from American soil has the U.S. on alert. Border security against bold drug cartels just a small measure in American politics, from the president’s funding of additional forces to the ongoing immigration debates. While Los Zetas may not represent any of the illegal traffic that crosses the U.S. border, their actions do little to dissuade states like Arizona from abandoning their own bold stance against the dangers of illegal immigration.

Citations:

Reuters

reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN28512369

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100628-709931.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Zetas

Rodolfo Torre campaign video (en Español):

youtube.com/watch?v=FqAtnZ6B5BE

In financial reform bill, Office of Financial literacy seems tucked away

The financial reform bill that Congress hopes to pass by the Fourth of July consists of establishing a new Office of Financial Literacy. The new Dodd-Frank financial reform bill also contains a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to enforce ethical behavior from banks. But ultimately, consumers may have to educate themselves about money management to stay out of financial trouble. The Office of Financial Literacy is going to try to make it easier.

Resource for this article: Office of Financial Literacy tucked away in financial reform bill by Personal Money Store

Financial literacy of the national strategy

The Office of Financial Literacy as written to the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill isn’t really the first effort by the government to encourage financial management from consumers. A 2003 law that gave people a free credit report at least once a year also established the Financial Literacy and Education Commission, which has been charged with developing a national strategy for financial literacy. In 2004 the FLEC launched the MyMoney.gov site to provide a central location where consumers can discover money management tools and useful government financial data.

The great FLEC financial literacy website

The FLEC’s financial literacy website got a new look. The new version of the site gives consumers online access where users can find information about how to plan for life events that have financial implications, such as birth or adoption of a child, home ownership or retirement. There are also answers to questions about a variety of personal or professional situations. MyMoney.gov will give users money-management tools including a savings calculator, household budget worksheets and a college prep checklist.

Americans seem to be lazy about finances

A lot more than regulation, the government has pushed knowledge to promote financial literacy. The conjecture is that the more high-quality details and money management tools consumers seem to have, the better choices they will make. But Americans appear to be financially lazy. It’s common knowledge that we should spend less, conserve more and then try to shop around for the best credit card rates. Many people really don’t.

Lacking big time is the American financial literacy

In a survey that was done about American financial literacy, the Wall Street Journal reports the Finra Investor Education Foundation — the research arm of the securities industry regulator — found that about half of those 45 or older hadn’t tried to calculate their retirement needs. About half of almost 1,500 people who took the survey admitted to occasionally carrying a credit-card balance and paying interest. Only five knew that when interest rates rise, bond prices fall. In addition, the survey found that 57 percent of adults who earn a lot more than $ 75,000 a year do not shop around for credit cards, and 46 percent do not compare prices on automobile financing. Also, adults do not usually check their credit records each year.

Debt to income ratio is key

Debt is a big consequence of financial literacy. According to Seerpress.com, despite the fact that the current average debt-to-income ratio of in The US is down to 122 percent from 133 percent in 2007, it nevertheless should be below 100 percent. In contrast, from 1960 to 1985, the debt-to-income ratio in The United States was way below 70 percent. The government is trying to do its part by imposing stricter policies and offering free advice. But true financial literacy could be as simple as not spending a lot more than you make. That is a personal responsibility.

Discover a lot more information:

FLEC website

205.168.45.52/

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703280004575309143171720002.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsTop

Seerpress.com

seerpress.com/four-things-that-could-help-you-financially-understand-money-save-money-stop-borrowing-money-and-think-outside-of-the-financial-box/1795/