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2010
7
Sep
President Obama’s stimulus plan doesn’t seem to be working, so, of course, he wants to throw another 50 billion dollars at it. I’ve got a better idea, he can throw some MY way. Okay, that’s not going to happen, but it did get me to thinking: would it have been better to give money to taxpayers than throwing money at all these banks and corporations?
I’m not talking $600 or $1200, I’m talking taking the approximately 1 trillion dollars (1,000,000,000,000) that’s already been blown and if, instead of sending it to banks and corporations, divided it up between the approximately 138 million taxpayers (2007 figures) tax-free. If my math is correct, that would have been approximately $7246 per taxpayer.
With $7246 per taxpayer, I imagine quite a few mortgages could have been caught up. In my case, since I never got behind on my mortgage, I would have paid off all my credit cards. By reducing my debt load, it would allow more disposable income at my fingers every month, which would help the local economy. Sure, I would save some of it, but most likely I would save up for something I want, instead of putting it back on the credit cards, and purchase it when I had enough saved up… again, helping the local economy.
Sure, some people would just go out and blow it without reducing their debt load, but the couldn’t say we didn’t try to help them. And, it would have been the quick, short-term boost the economy needs.
I know it’s a bit too late now, but I think maybe my plan would have worked.
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2010
18
Aug
By Chris Corrigan
from http://www.moneyuneed.com
So, you want or need to work from home, but don’t want to be the victim of a scam. Searching for legitimate opportunities can make most people pull their hair out. However, there are legitimate opportunities, if you know how to find them and know what to look out for.
The first thing you need to know is that working from home isn’t for just anyone. You will find out you must be your own worst boss. You must be a self-starter who doesn’t need a boss over your shoulder to make you work. Your performance is directly tied to your income – if you slack off, so does your money. So, with that in mind, are you still ready to work from home?
Next, you need to decide what you might like to do, assess needs you can fill for a fee, and put it into action. Do you want to provide a local service, or sell a product online? What are your goals? Where do you want to be in a month, a year, and five years? If you don’t have a clear business idea and goal, you are setting up for failure.
You need to decide how to get the word out about your business. What is the best way to reach the most people with the least money? What most experts agree on is you need exposure. If you are a decent writer, you can start a blog on your product, educating people on the reasons they need your service or product. Join forums to get your name out there. If you have an advertising budget, you can try pay-per-click (PPC) ad campaigns such as Adwords, or email marketing.
And, finally, you need to be able to recognize a work-from-home scam. For example, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you are paid by recruiting, it is probably a pyramid scheme. Be wary of opportunities that require an upfront fee or initiation fee to join. Check the Better Business Bureau.
The Work At Home Bible is a free comprehensive guide to working at home and avoiding scams. I was impressed with the amount of information inside about how to choose and start working at home with a lengthy section on how to recognize and avoid a scam. And, did I say, it’s FREE?
You don’t have to give me your email address, just click, download and read. It is a PDF e-book, so you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to see it, but you probably already have that on your computer.
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2010
16
Aug
From Chris Corrigan’s Money U Need blog (with permission):
Credit reports have become so widely used, a good report almost is almost as necessary as air. We are all aware our credit reports are checked when we want to finance something like a house, car, or get a credit card so they can determine if you qualify and how much interest to charge you. Employers will access your credit report to see how responsible you are and even insurance companies are accessing it to see what kind of risk you are. Even your professional license may be at risk with a bad credit report. So, what can you do to help make sure your report stays accurate? Here are some tips.
Identity Theft Detection
Identity theft is rampant and, in today’s economy, is on the rise. People will find someone with good credit and steal their identity. You may not know your identity has been stolen until you try to purchase something and are either turned down or charged an ultra-high interest rate. If you are the victim of credit card theft, and they have changed the billing address to something other than yours, you won’t know until your credit is already being ruined. A good credit monitoring service can alert you to any changes in your credit report and allow you to take action to prevent identity fraud.
Credit Management
Managing your credit through careful spending, making sure you pay all bills on time, and keeping your credit card balances well below the limits are key, but that is only part of it. Stop applying for every credit card that comes along since that generates hard inquiries to your credit report. These are counted against you with your credit score. Soft inquiries, such as you accessing your own credit report are not held against you, so you won’t be penalized for watching your own report.
Credit monitoring will also help keep you in touch with your spending and payment habits. It’s gratifying to see any late payments drop off and see all green on your report. It’s also nice to see that credit score start on the upward trend. You can see the ratio of debt to income and begin to work that in your favor.
There are several credit monitoring agencies out there. Research and find one that offers a trial period or money back guarantee of some sort. Credit Sentry is unlike other monitoring services that bill you monthly, offering protection for a one-time fee. They have a money-back guarantee, so there is no risk.
There is also a great book on how to repair your credit with practical advice to help you raise your credit score: Credit Counseling for Credit Reports and Credit Repair Workbook.
You are the first line in the defense of your credit report.
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2010
3
Aug
by Michael Kryzer
If you love photography then a career as a freelance photographer is well worth considering. If you want to start a business in freelance photography there are three main ways to sell your photos.
1. Stock Photography
Stock photography refers to a stock of existing photographs that can be licensed for specific uses. Publishers, magazines, advertising agencies, filmmakers, web designers, and graphic artists are all examples of users of stock photography. They can use stock photography instead of hiring a photographer to shoot the photographs they need.
As a photographer when you take photographs those photos become a part of your “stock”. As the copyright holder you can license the images again and again. Your stock photos can be sold online through stock agencies and microstock sites, or by approaching publishers and other users directly, or you can sell them through your own web site.
2. Photography Products
You can take your photographs and create products for sale. Some examples of possible photography products include posters, prints, postcards, t-shirts and even books.
At CafePress, for example, you can design a wide variety of customizable products using your photos with zero upfront costs and zero inventory investment.
3. Photography Services
Another way to work in freelance photography is sell your skills, to sell your services as a photographer. In this capacity you could work on assignment for portraits, for weddings, or for various types of business project.
If you only want to work part-time at your photography, then working as a freelance photographer is still a great way to earn a little extra cash or to pay for your next digital camera or lens.
About The Author
If you would like to start your own freelance photography business and learn how to sell your photos, please visit http://www.CameraCareer.com. You’ll discover all you need to know including which photos to take and how to get the best fees possible for your photos.
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2010
26
Jul
You remember Todd Davis, CEO of LifeLock, Inc. who publicly posted his social security number on billboards, buses and television, don’t you? Well, it seems that he has been the victim of identity theft at least 13 times and has agreed to pay 12 million (yes, 12 with 6 zeros after it) to the FTC to settle charges that the company overstated benefits and used scare tactics to gain subscribers.
According to this article from PC World:
One of LifeLock’s ads said its service prevented ID theft from “ever happening to you. Guaranteed.” But the FTC knows of “several hundred” LifeLock customers who were victims of ID theft after subscribing to the service, Leibowitz said during a press conference in Chicago.
“There is nothing you can do or purchase that will provide you with a 100 percent guarantee against being a victim of identity theft,” said Lisa Madigan, attorney general for Illinois. “But that doesn’t mean you should do nothing.”
Exactly. That doesn’t mean you should do nothing. So, what can you do to minimize your chances of becoming an identity theft victim? Glad you asked.
How does my identity get stolen?
Your identity can be stolen in a variety of ways, including right from your computer. Phishing scams, in which people are urged to respond to an email with personal information lest their credit cards, bank accounts, or other services are ‘placed on hold’. The person sends account information and the next thing they know, they are a victim.
Another way is spyware, bad software on your computer that is downloaded from the internet either without your knowledge, or part of that new, free game. This software sends personal information to another computer, sometimes every key you type. Now, they have your bank, your user name and password information. Cha-ching.
They can also hack into companies you do business with. You really can’t control that except to do all you can to do business with reputable companies, especially over the internet.
What can I do about it?
First of all, get some good anti-virus, anti-spyware software on your computer, pronto. Also, sign up for that subscription that keeps it up-to-date. Believe me, it is worth the 20 or so bucks a year to help protect you.
Second, when you get that email from your bank, credit card company, insurance company, etc. do not click on anything and delete it! Call the company if you are in doubt and deal directly with them. If you get a phone call from someone asking to verify your account number or other personal information, hang up. Unless you initiated the call, they don’t need it.
If you want to use an identity theft prevention service, be sure to check them out and find out exactly what is promised. Will they help you lock your credit report? Will they help you clear fraudulent entries from your credit report? Will they pay for what you’ve lost?
Things you can do yourself
Check your credit report every year, it’s free from AnnualCreditReport.com. There are credit report monitoring services that you can use to see changes in your credit report and score monthly. These are not free, but they do allow you to more closely monitor your credit to see if an unauthorized change has been made and get it fixed quickly.
Your bank may offer ‘virtual’ credit card numbers. These are a one-time use number that you enter in place of your real card number. If a thief gets hold of this after you’ve used it, it’s useless.
Always review your bank and credit card statements. Thieves have a device called a skimmer they can use to steal your credit card numbers any time you hand your card over.
Also check your insurance statements for medical insurance claims you didn’t make and check your medical records.
Get a good cross-cut shredder. Before throwing anything away that has personal information, shred it first. Thieves will not hesitate to go through your trash.
So, bottom line is be aware of your finances, be suspicious when asked for personal information, and keep an eye on your credit report.
More information can be found at the FTC’s Identity Theft site.
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2010
30
Mar
Cash gifting schemes are all over the internet. They may be called Giving Programs, Cash Leveraging, or Cash Gifting, but they are all the same. The bad economy has provided a fertile ground for them to take root. According to these sites, all you have to do is send a gift of money and more money will come back to you. But, is this a legal way to boost your income, or is it nothing but a scam.
In many states it is nothing more than an illegal pyramid scheme and people who send money are unwittingly an accessory to a crime. Even though they appear credible, they rely on greed to make just a few people richer while the other approximately 88% will lose their money. Anyone who participates may be guilty of a crime, even if they did not benefit. Of course, the IRS will count that as taxable income whether or not it was obtained legally.
You can see many testimonials of just plain folk suddenly reeling in thousands of dollars per day. The truth, of course, is these are fake testimonials. The money just travels to the top of the pyramid where it benefits the person who started the scheme and a few at the top.
I understand, especially in this economy, the allure to bringing in a few extra bucks to help ends meet. I, too, would like something that will pad the ole bank account. But, it has to be legal and legit. This does not appear to be the one.
My advice is to stay away from these schemes.
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2009
7
Oct
OK. I know this post may be a little close to Halloween, but if you are like most people, you are still undecided. Not only that, but costume prices are pretty outrageous considering they will probably only be worn once. Dressing up the little tricksters doesn’t have to be a budget-breaker. With a little imagination, you can use mostly what you have at home to create an award-winning costume.
For the younger trick-or-treaters, think of something that will go with those all-over pajamas. If they have something brown, make their face up like a lion, or pink can be a cute bunny. One year, we gutted a stuffed over-sized teddy bear that was falling apart and put my son in it, made up his face and taught him to growl like a grizzly.
Most of us may want to forget the seventies, but like it or not, that is a popular theme this year. Dig in your closet, or visit local thrift stores for seventies apparel. Don’t forget the gaudy necklaces and the open shirts that were popular. Or dig out that tie-dye and go as a hippie. Don’t forget the hair.
A geek is an easy one. Take some pants that the legs are too short, black socks and tennis shoes. Button up shirt with a pocket protector and lots of pens. Add slick hair and some glasses to complete the ensemble.
You can use the old ghost standby. Take an old white sheet and cut eyes in it and voila! If you don’t have one, you can probably pick up a cheap one at the dollar store or other deep-discount store for a few bucks.
You can make a good hobo by just using old clothes that have holes in them, or are very worn. Use makeup to smudge dirt on the face.
Using those gosh-awful loud shorts and shirt, an old camera, those old disney maps (or others), a cap with a tourist attraction logo on it can make a good tourist. You can use your imagination and have fun with this one.
There are plenty of other ideas out on the internet, click here to find them.
Used with permission from author Chris Corrigan
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2009
15
Sep
Most of the time, when you see and advertisement that some company can just wipe out your bad credit information, there is usually a catch. Most of it you can do yourself, but it takes time and patience. There are legitimate companies out there that will help you remove inaccurate information from your credit report, but none that can remove accurate information. They can usually help you manage your credit to allow you to make your credit report look better over time.
This article by Chris Corrigan, 5 tips to keep your credit report in good standing, gives some great advice on getting your credit report looking good and keeping it there.
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