Who’s Going To Bail The Taxpayer Out?
Who’s going to buy his assets. When the government runs out of money after helping every greedy company in America, then who is going to bail the taxpayer out?
This plea for a bailout of the financial markets, by the fed is not unfounded. They are in trouble, but how did they get there, no one wants to talk about that. We are in crisis mode, we don’t have time to talk about that. They may or may not be right about the financial meltdown that they predict, we would never know unless the markets are left to their own devices. What ever is done, or not done one thing is known for sure, it will affect the average taxpayer. You know, the ones that had nothing to do with this financial mess. And most people believe that those responsible for the mess will walk off into the sunset with their pockets full, as usual.
This is the problem with this bailout plan or rescue plan whatever you want to call it. It is like having a brother who has a gambling problem, is the breadwinner of his family and who’s life is being threatened by the mob for unpaid debts. Now if you help him out and pay off the mob, it puts a huge hole in your pocket. If you don’t do anything your brother is dead and now you have his destitute family to deal with, which will put a huge hole in your pocket also. You think to yourself, I guess I have to help him out, if I don’t he dies. So you start thinking of how you can bail him out and make him realize the error of his ways, but he resists. You want him to go to GA (Gamblers Anonymous), and pay interest on your loan. He wants you to give him the money to pay off the mob and a little extra to keep gambling.
People have had enough, and they are being vocal about it. Senators and Representatives have gotten thousands of phone calls and e-mails from enraged taxpayers/voters fiercely opposing the plan, and thus the House turned down the plan and the stock market plummeted. 133 Republicans and 95 Democrats voted “no” while 65 Republicans joined 140 Democrats in voting “yes.” Congress is shaking in their boots. They don’t know which way to go. They are dammed if they do and dammed if they don’t. But they will go on vacation anyway. HELLO!!! I THOUGHT WE WERE IN A CRISIS!!! Maybe this episode will make people think more about term limits. As far as I am concerned, all involved are to blame and should eventually pay with our votes.
Where the blame goes is obvious, the bankers for their greediness, the borrowers for their ignorance, the current administration for being asleep at the wheel, that includes the FED current and previous, Bernake, Paulson. Former Fed Chairman Greenspan, who has a book out called ” The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World”, I wonder if he explains why he didn’t see this coming. Not to be left out, our catatonic regulators and our dear Congress, both sides of the isle, for looking the other way.
After all the Congressional posturing and the prancing around, no matter how we turn it around we will have to bail the financial markets out, it’s a Catch 22. This does not mean that those we bail out should not be made responsible, even criminally for what they have done. Those responsible for the companies that want to be bailed out should not be allowed to make a penny out of this situation, it’s not like they haven’t made millions already. CEO compensation shouldn’t even need to be mentioned. In fact they should give their bonuses back to the company to be spread out between employees and shareholders.
Here is a sample of some of the CEO pay for some of the troubled financial companies, some of which have gone out of business already.
“Washington Mutual’s CEO, Kerry Killinger $22 million
Merrill Lynch CEO: Stanley O’Neal: $161.5 million
Citigroup CEO: Charles Prince $68 million
Bear Stearns CEO: Jimmy Cayne: $61.3 million
Countrywide Financial CEO: Angelo Mozilo $121.5 million
Lehman Brothers Holdings CEO: Richard: $22 million”
If the the employees and the shareholders of these companies are walking out empty handed then so should those who caused the mess. Those terms should be layed out in front of the bailout money, not later when things will be forgotten and not as pressing as they are now. So if it takes a couple more days or a couple more weeks then the FED or the markets would like it to, then so be it. Those that need bailing out should not be given “incentives” to opt-in to this bail out plan, as some Congressmen would like us to believe. Those that need bailing out should consider themselves lucky that they are not being criminally charged. If the terms of opting-in are too harsh for them, then let them fail. In the family structure it’s called tough love. And if they don’t like that, tough S_ _T!
The rush to get this done smacks of the rush to invade Iraq. Does anyone remember? Better to take a step back and act with a cooler head, then to rush into a fire and get burned… again.
Written on 30 September 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Pickens on the Economy…
Check out T.Boone Pickens views on the Economy, Oil , Congress, and the Energy plan…
Written on 21 September 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Everybody Promises Change, It’s Up To US To Make Sure They Deliver…
“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” - Plato 429-347 B.C.
They are all for change, but what does that mean once they are really in there. Every election starts out and ends the same way. They promise changes and to make things better but does that really happen? If there was ever a reason for voter apathy, that is it. The lack of follow through on the part of the candidates once they get into office.
But the reality is that the lack of follow through on the part of the voters is the real problem. Why not turn the tables and focus on making the candidates put their money where their mouths are. What usually happens is that candidates promise us the blue skies, we tentatively vote for them because we yearn for change and we maintain a glimmer of hope in us. But because we have been burned by them so many times, when they don’t follow through with their promises we just give up. Our response is to not bother to vote on the next round, which doesn’t really accomplish much.
Politicians have become so used to voter apathy that they know how to play us. They know that they can say one thing while they are running for office so that they get the vote and then come up with some excuse as to why they cannot fulfill their promises.
Why not stay more involved in the process and follow through with making the candidates responsible for what they have promised us during the run for the presidency or any other public office. It really doesn’t matter who wins, what matters is that they follow through with what we want them to do for us.
The best thing we can do is to insist that there are term limits, especially in Congress. That way nobody gets too cushy. The president has term limits, some local positions also have them, why not Congress.
Want to see things get done? Give them term limits. Once they realize that it is not a job for life, then they might be more apt to show what they can do, so that when they leave they’ll have a reputation for performance, not for empty promises.
Now since the president already has term limits, how can we help them keep their promises? By staying politically active.
Keeping a checklist of candidate promises on the issues that are important to us is a good start. A checklist to help us figure out who to vote for, but also to remember what they promised to do for us down the line a couple years later, when they usually start faltering. We can periodically go back to that checklist and when a president starts swaying from their path, we can remind them of the “error of their ways” through e-mail, letters, phonecalls, petitions, blogs, online discussion forums, protests, etc,etc,etc. There are many ways to keep politicians in line, we just have to do our part which is to remain part of the political system.
No one else will do it for us, we each have to take back that responsibility. Too many people have given up their say. But it’s not difficult to get it back, it just takes determination to stay in the process. If we really want the change these candidates are promising us, then we have to hold them to their word or call them to the mat when they falter
Getting the country back is a matter holding our public officials responsible for their actions, and that means staying involved in the political process.
CNN has a page outlining the candidates’ views on all issues. It’s is a great place to start your checklist. If you are leaning more on the Independent candidates, here is a place to get their views.
Written on 17 September 2008 by bibi=======================================================
On Health Care, Obama or McCain?
If your vote came down to the issue of health care, who would you vote for? HealthDecision08 is a great place to go and learn about what each candidate plans to do on the health care issues that are plaguing this country today. To make your voice heard, take the poll…
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The costs of getting the Cancer Monkey off your back:………… Part IV of a Series on Health Care Costs
With the changing of the guard coming up soon it is imperative that something is done about Healthcare.
This is an update on a series on Healthcare costs. The patient is a friend with cancer and who has allowed us to follow his progress and bills so that we may get a closer look into the problem of health care in America today. If you would like to start the series from the beginning go to : Part I, Part II, Part III.
The last time we updated this series, was back in January. Since then my friend has finished his Chemo treatments and is thankfully into remission. He now goes in every three months to see the oncologist and for blood tests and every six months for Cat/Pet Scans, to keep the disease in check.
As if being ill is not stressful enough, it is shameful that a person in a time in their life when what they need is care, should have to be scrounging around for money to pay for their insurance premiums or worst yet have to file bankruptcy. The time is now to push for a solution to the healthcare problems in America. Make your voice known, let the candidates and congress know what you want done.
Here is a site to go to that gives us a better idea of specific solutions proposed by Senators Obama and McCain so that when we go and vote we can make a better decision. Health Decision ‘08
As far as the costs are concerned, these are the running totals from before January 14:
| Description | Billed | Ins. Pays | Ded | Co- Pay | Premiums | SubTotal | Total Paid |
| Running Totals | 68470.11 | 19231.21 | 2136.47 | 85.80 | 2208.00 | 23661.48 |
From here on are the bills from January 14,2008 to the present:
| Description | Billed | Ins. Pays | Ded | Co- Pay | Premiums | SubTotal | Total Paid |
| 3rd Chemo 1/09 | 16624.00 | 3675.00 | 3675.00 | 27577.51 | |||
| Blood Test 1/21 | 48.50 | 7.60 | 7.60 | 27585.11 | |||
| Blood test 1/22 | 48.50 | 7.60 | 7.60 | 27592.71 | |||
| Blood Test 1/28 | 98.00 | 17.94 | 17.94 | 27610.65 | |||
| Oncologist Visit 1/29 | 176.00 | 136.47 | 136.47 | 27747.12 | |||
| Fac Charge 1/29 | 146.00 | 97.82 | 97.82 | 27844.94 | |||
| Blood Test 1/30 | 48.50 | 7.60 | 7.60 | 27852.54 | |||
| 4th Chemo 1/31 | 17247.00 | 1947.94 | 1727.06 | 3675.00 | 31527.54 | ||
| Blood Test 2/6 | 48.50 | 7.60 | 7.60 | 31535.14 | |||
| Prescription/ Prednisone-12/11-1/9-1-31 | 11.62 | 11.62 | 31546.76 | ||||
| Prescription/ Prochlorper 12/12 | 0.36 | 15.00 | 15.36 | 31562.12 | |||
| Prescription/ nystatin 1/22 | 11.04 | 15.00 | 26.04 | 31588.16 | |||
| Prescription/ ciprofloxacn 1/22-2/14 | 30.00 | 30.00 | 31618.16 | ||||
| Insurance Premium February | 736.00 | 736.00 | 32354.16 | ||||
| Prescription/ Prednisone 2/21 | 3.87 | 3.87 | 32358.03 | ||||
| Blodd Tests 2/14 | 48.50 | 7.60 | 7.60 | 32365.63 | |||
| Pet Scan 2/18 | 3300.00 | 2238.61 | 2238.61 | 34604.24 | |||
| Blood Test 2/20 | 98.00 | 17.94 | 17.94 | 34622.18 | |||
| Oncologist Visit 2/21 | 176.00 | 136.47 | 136.47 | 34758.65 | |||
| Fac Charge 2/21 | 146.00 | 97.82 | 97.82 | 34856.47 | |||
| Blood Tests 2/27 | 48.50 | 9.70 | 9.70 | 34866.17 | |||
| 5th Chemo 2/28 | 17197.00 | 3675.00 | 3675.00 | 38541.17 | |||
| Blood Test 3/04 | 48.50 | 9.70 | 9.70 | 38550.87 | |||
| Blood Test 3/12 | 48.50 | 7.60 | 7.60 | 38558.47 | |||
| Oncologist Visit3/18 | 176.00 | 136.47 | 136.47 | 38694.94 | |||
| Fac Charge 3/18 | 146.00 | 97.82 | 97.82 | 38792.76 | |||
| Blood Test 3/24 | 48.50 | 7.60 | 7.60 | 38800.36 | |||
| 6th Chemo 3/25 | 17100.00 | 3675.00 | 3675.00 | 42475.36 | |||
| Blood Test 3/31 | 48.50 | 7.60 | 7.60 | 42482.96 | |||
| Insurance Premium/ April | 736.00 | 736.00 | 43218.96 | ||||
| Blood Test 4/08 | 41.51 | 18.50 | 18.50 | 43237.46 | |||
| Blood Test 4/15 | 48.50 | 7.60 | 7.60 | 43245.06 | |||
| Blood Test 4/28 | 129.20 | 10.34 | 10.34 | 43255.40 | |||
| Oncologist Visit 4/29 | 125.00 | 100.60 | 100.60 | 43356.00 | |||
| Fac Charge 4/29 | 146.00 | 97.82 | 97.82 | 43453.82 | |||
| Oncologist Visit 7/29 | 125.00 | 100.60 | 100.60 | 43554.42 | |||
| Fac Charge 7/29 | 116.00 | 77.72 | 77.72 | 43632.14 | |||
| Prescription/Prednisone 2/28 | 11.99 | 3.87 | 3.87 | 43636.01 | |||
| Prescription/ Ranitidine 3/02 | 34.99 | 15.00 | 15.00 | 43651.01 | |||
| Prescription/ Ciprofloxacn 3/11 | 26.29 | 15.00 | 15.00 | 43666.01 | |||
| Prescription/ ciprofloxacn 3/18 | 26.29 | 15.00 | 15.00 | 43681.01 | |||
| PrescriptionR anitidine 3/18 | 34.99 | 15.00 | 15.00 | 43696.01 | |||
| Prescription/ ciprofloxacn 4/10 | 26.29 | 15.00 | 15.00 | 43711.01 |
| Running Totals | 143982.16 | 35790.85 | 4000 | 240.16 | 3680.00 | 43711.01 |
Bottom line it has cost a lot of money. This is the breakdown from 2007/2008
The Insurance company was billed $143982.16
The Insurance Company paid out: $ 35790.85
My friend has paid out: $ 7920.16
between Co-pays/Deductible/Prescriptions/Premiums
I’m not sure what happens between the billed amount and the paid amount, maybe it’s a write off. One thing I know for sure is that there are way too many middlemen, way too many charges, and it doesn’t seem right to me that somebody is making a profit off the misery of a human being.
There has to be a better way…Get informed Health Decision ‘08.
cancer health decision 08 health insurance healthcare mccain Non Hodgkins Lymphoma Obama the cost of healthcare Written on 7 September 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Energy Plan And The Candidates
As we all know by now T.Boone Pickens is really promoting his energy plan of using the wind corridor in the middle of the country to produce energy through wind power and to power our transportation with natural gas. While helping us get off our dependence on foreign oil, his plan would also help revive rural America and help keep the air cleaner by using natural gas whose emissions are 30% cleaner than gasoline and 23% cleaner than diesel. Pickens says the way to get it done is by ” Building wind facilities in the corridor that stretches from the Texas panhandle to North Dakota could produce 20% of the electricity for the United States at a cost of $1 trillion. It would take another $200 billion to build the capacity to transmit that energy to cities and towns. That’s a lot of money, but it’s a one-time cost. And compared to the $700 billion we spend on foreign oil every year, it’s a bargain.” One million followers believe and Pickens let the candidates know.
On August 15th and 17th, T.Boone Pickens sat down with both Senator McCain and Senator Obama (separately) to discuss his energy plan and how to address America’s foreign oil dependency. He spoke of the urgency to reduce our oil dependency by at least 30% within the next 10 years, and the need to continue with the conservation efforts that are already in progress, which use already available technologies and must come from 100% American resources.
Both Senators were receptive to the Pickens Plan and the idea to lessen our addiction to foreign oil, but they might need a little push from us.
Written on 28 August 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Inclusive Business: Helping Fight Poverty
Inclusive Business is not a new idea but it is an idea that is hopefully taking off. With the global agenda now including socially conscious issues like global warming and climate change, the folks involved with this idea are hoping that “Social Warming” as they like to call it, will take hold. Inclusive Business is a business model that goes into impoverished areas throughout the world and incorporates low income segments of that society into the value chain of large companies and corporations by teaching them how to become suppliers, distributors and bringing more affordable products to market.
Check out the video and if you are interested in learning more about Inclusive business ideas and getting involved, go to either of these websites: World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) or the SNV.
Written on 19 August 2008 by bibi=======================================================
The Russian Bear On The Move Again…
In typical Russian fashion or should I dare to say Communist fashion, the head is saying one thing, the body is doing another.
On the 12th Russian President Medvedev told the world that they would end military operations in Georgia, on the 13th Russian tanks and troops rolled deeper into the Georgian region just 40 miles outside the capital of Tiblisi, way out of the disputed area of South Ossetia. Even under world pressure to pull their troops out of Georgia, hundreds if not thousands of innocent people have been killed or injured by the conflict between the Russians and Georgian troops over the breakaway province of South Ossetia.
Of course both sides are blaming the opposite side for the aggression. A skirmish between South Ossetian army and the Georgian military on August 1 is what touched off the large scale attack on the city of Tskhavli in South Ossetia by the Russians seven days later. According to the Russians shelling by the Georgians had killed several civilians and Russian peacekeepers, which prompted them to send in thousands of troops with armored personnel carriers and tanks. But they seem to have had more then squashing the skirmish in South Ossetia in mind when they continued on into deep Georgian territory bombing ports and airports and military bases along the way showing it’s military might. The Georgians claim that South Ossetian separatists shelled Georgian villages in violation of a ceasefire, and that prompted them to launch an overnight offensive on the city of Tskhavli on August the 1st.
Several factors may be at play here besides the seemingly obvious reason for the Russian intervention. Already heavily invested in South Ossetia, state run Russian oil company may have their eye on a very important Georgian oil pipeline that supplies the west. And Georgia’s bid for NATO membership does not sit well with Russian President Medvedev or former President Putin.
Georgia, which had been occupied by the Soviet Union since 1922, declared it’s independence from the Russians in 1991 after the collapse of communism. Since then two provinces in Georgia, namely South Ossetia and Abkhazia have been semi-independent and in secessionist conflicts with Georgia. Russian influence is heavy, their capital supports the South Ossetia governing body and most citizens speak the language and carry Russian passports. No doubt the Russian interest in these regions will not be given up lightly.
Written on 14 August 2008 by bibi=======================================================
A Bush at the Olympics…
Although criticized by many for attending the Beijing Olympics, Bush has at least come through and taken the opportunity to make clear, as clear as diplomacy will allow, to the Chinese that if they want to play economically with the rest of the world, that they have to put their “human rights house” in order. Of course the Chinese government rebutted with the usual communist denial rhetoric, ” The Chinese government puts people first, and is dedicated to maintaining and promoting its citizens’ basic rights and freedom,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said. What an original piece of propaganda.
Never mind that when awarded the Olympics back in 2001, China promised to make improvements in human rights, health and education, and media freedoms. Never mind that suppressing the march anti-government uprising by Tibetan monks, ended in the killing at least 19. I guess that doesn’t count.
Never mind the ongoing human rights and religious freedom protests throughout the world. In Kathmandu just this Thursday, in Nepal, 1500 Buddhist monks protested China’s ongoing violations of religious freedom in Tibet. In Tienanmen’s square three US Christian were dragged away by the police, for demonstrating in support of religious freedom and another 4 British and American pro-Tibetan protesters were also held, for protesting close to the Olympic Stadium.
Bush’s speech in Bangkok covered many of China’s digression from it’s promise on improving on it’s human rights record.
“…being a global economic leader carries with it a the duty to act responsibly in matters from energy to the environment to development in places like Africa.” A reference to the known fact that China has been a flagrant violator of the Sudan arms Embargo. It has provided most of the Sudan’s small arms and weapons it has used for the mass murders it has committed in the Darfur province.
“…the United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings, America stands in firm opposition to China’s detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists,” he said. in reference to what continues to happen in Tibet.
“We press for openness not to impose our beliefs but to allow the Chinese people to express theirs…”
“…those who aspire to speak their conscience and worship their god are no threat to the future of China…”
Watch your back…
Written on 8 August 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Is Offshore Drilling The Answer…
McCain says yes, Obama now, says maybe.
While Obama had previously been criticizing McCain’s stance on lifting the federal moratorium banning offshore drilling to help bring down the price of gas, it seems now he is willing to compromise on his position.
Last Friday, while on a two day trip around central Florida, Obama told the Palm Bay Post, “My interest is in making sure we’ve got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices.” He was quickly criticized for changing his stance and rebutted on Saturday with “What I will not do, and this has always been my position, is to support a plan that suggests this drilling is the answer to our energy problems,” Obama added.
Is offshore drilling the answer to the question of lowering the gas prices? Or is it just another band aid, that will backfire on us in the future?
If the offshore drilling ban was lifted today, how long before all systems were up and running? Environmental groups won’t let this go so easily. So years of litigation later, how did lifting the ban help alleviate the people’s woes about gas prices now. Let’s put the environmentalists aside, how long before that oil gets to a refinery and out into the market in order to bring the price of gas down now?
If speculators are driving the oil market as many tend to believe, would simply the idea that America has other options besides the Middle East and Chaves’ Venezuela for oil enough to bring the price of gas down?
It’s hard to answer those questions without actually lifting the ban and letting the wheels start turning. But once you lift the ban to drill offshore, there is no easy going back.
CNNpolitics.com has a great map of where offshore drilling is allowed and the areas where the drilling would be allowed if the ban is lifted.
The story just keeps repeating itself, back in seventies the U.S. Oil Crisis brought on by the Arab Oil Embargo against western nations, almost brought the U.S. to a stand still. In 1973, AOPEC decided to cut shipments of crude oil to western nations who supported Israel, especially the United States and The Netherlands. In order to push ahead their political agenda they used their oil producing leverage without regard to the economic effect to the rest of the world. The elevated oil prices remained until 1986.
Now, some thirty years later we are once again at the mercy of our dependence on Middle East oil, maybe for different reasons but in the same position. We have been given the opportunity of making some long term changes that can alleviate our dependence on Middle East oil once again. We did not react appropriately then. How do we react now, so that this doesn’t keep happening again and again.
Whether offshore drilling helps us become independent of foreign oil for the long term or is just a band aid, only time would tell. But one thing for sure is that lifting the ban is not a quick fix for the high gas prices at the moment. Oil is not infinite and is not good for the environment, so sooner or later we will have to find an alternative to oil. Why not now…
If we want different results, than we have to change what we do.
Written on 4 August 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Back to the Financial Basics
More and more these days you hear about how so many people have gotten themselves into a financial mess that will be hard to get out of. And the reason boils down to that most people are not taught the basics about finances. I am not talking about how to invest their money, I am talking basics, basics like how to maintain checking accounts in good working order.
Starting from how to choose an account, to keeping the account in good standing and how to avoid excessive fees.
Let’s start by saying that free is good. So when banks compete for your business choose the offers that will benefit you the most.
Like for example right now WaMu offers free checking services for their customers. This means you get a free checking account, that comes with free checks, a savings of $20-$30 dollars, free check safekeeping, and free wires which normally cost $30 each at other banks. These savings don’t seem like much but they can add up. They also have interest bearing checking accounts that can earn you interest every month, and those accounts also come with free checks and money orders which you would normally pay at least $5 dollars for each one, and free Identity Theft services.
To keep an account in good standing, all that is needed is a little tracking. Keep good records, keep receipts so you don’t forget what you spent, track what comes in and what goes out frequently, that way you keep within your means, and you don’t overspend. Make out a budget and keep within that budget.
Which brings us to excessive fees, read the fine print and find out the fees that banks charge for different circumstances, such as overdraft, using other banks ATM’s, etc. keeping these fees in check will keep more money in your checking account.
Sponsored Post
Written on 29 July 2008 by bibi=======================================================
On The Rim
When looking for new tires, if you find yourself more and more tempted to get new rims and a different look for your car, the prices you find at the regular tire stores might be making you think twice. Another option to take a look at is to investigate prices and service that you can get online.
Shopping online for tires and rims might seem a little out of your comfort zone but places like Wheelfire.com have perfected the art of fitting your Car Rims , they have pioneered a fitment program that ensures a 100% proper fit for your vehicle. They have a great variety of wheel and tire packages at discount prices. And all can be shipped fast and safely directly to your door via FedEx, and can be tracked once the package has left the warehouse. Typically an East coast order can reach the customer within 1-4 days, and West coast orders get to their destination in 4-6 days.
You’ll love shopping for your Car Rims at Wheelfire.com. They make it their business to provide their customers with state of the art technology that gives you the most secure online shopping experience. Orders can be placed 24/7 and have a tech center and customer service department available for all your questions. And Wheelfire.com is a member of the Better Business Bureau.
Before you make a decision, check out their operation, it’s first class…Wheelfire.com
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Written on 27 July 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Weekend Fun in Europe…
If you are ready to have fun out on a girls night and have run out of ideas for what to do on the weekends, check out Hen Weekends. There you can set up a quite weekend for a couple of friends or the liveliest party you have ever had anywhere your heart desires in Europe. If you live in the UK Hen Weekends can set you up in one or several cities, out of 27 destinations. Some of which include Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ipswich, Liverpool, Manchester and London of course, to name a few.
If you are looking for a weekend out elsewhere in Europe, Hen Weekends can set you up in a variety of countries throughout Europe. Some of these destinations include Algarve, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bratislava, Budapest, Cork, Costa Brava, Dublin, Krakow, Majorca, Prague, Riga, Tallinn and Warsaw.
Anything you can imagine can be arranged for you at Hen Weekends. All you do is go on the website and choose your duration, 1 to 7 nights or evenings, your destination, the time of the year you would like to go and the size of your group, and out will pop a long list of activities that can be arranged for your outing. Anything from 3 course Dinners at the Sound Night Club in London, to 4×4 Off Roading, to Paintball Games, 145 rides and attractions at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Pole Dancing Lessons, Power Boating, Private Canal Tours, Riverboarding and Whitewater Tubing or anything else that your mind can come up with can probably be arranged bu Hen Weekends.
Name you destination, your activity and your price, then go out and enjoy.
betterweekends.com hen weekends Sponsored Post Written on 9 July 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Repairing Credit…
Starting off your credit history is an important milestone in everyone’s life. Being able to get credit especially when you are first starting out and you don’t have a credit history at all is monumental, or at least it seems like it at the time.
Here you are starting out your career, going to college and you need those wheels to get you around. So you go out , find a car and look at any and all Car Loans that are offered to you, you don’t bother to work out the details in your budget. Next you realize that you really cannot afford this loan, and you start paying late, then you are behind a month, than two, than you start getting repossession calls. Next thing you know you have bad credit and the car has been repossessed. This is no way to start your credit history.
Don’t despair there are places that specialize in helping those that have run into credit problems. Whether you have no credit history or bad credit history there is help. But first we have to learn the basics so that we don’t find ourselves in the same situation in the future.
The way to start and maintain good credit score is by figuring out what you can afford before you even go out and look at that car. No impulsive buying, this is what gets people in trouble. Do a budget including all your expenses and income. How much comes in/ how much goes out. Remember to include 10% savings off the top, include this in your budget. It is important to have a savings to cover any unforeseen expenses. Once you have figured out how much money can be allocated for Car Loans, then go out and look for a car you know you can afford, and stick to that budget. This is called living within your means.
Now once you get your credit started again, in order to maintain a good credit score, you have to keep the golden rule of credit, “Pay on Time”. When you agree to a loan you are making a commitment, a contract, a promise to that company or person that in exchange for what you bought, you agree to pay on time and on the terms agreed. This is paramount to keeping your credit score in check.
If you keep to these two simple rules, your credit will flourish opening many doors for you in the future.
To get your credit started again, try 1-800-NextLoan.com
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1 800 nextloan.com bad credit car loans credit repair Written on 21 June 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Steps to Choosing a Healthcare Provider in Georgia…
Choosing a Healthcare Provider can be a daunting task. The choices are many and get get very confusing for anyone. The best way to go about it is to break it down into small steps that can be managed easier.
- Start by choosing the type of plan that works best for you
- Health Maintenance Organization: HMO’s
- Independent Practice Associations: IPA’s
- Managed Care Organizations: MCO’s
- Preferred Providers Organizations: PPO’s
- Make a list for each plan comparing what is covered and what is not.
- What kind of access to doctors, facilities, specialists and labs is offered on each type of plan.
- What kind of paperwork is involved each time you visit a doctor or facility. Does the doctor’s office or facility take care of all the paperwork? or do you have to fill out a form each time you go in.
- Are policies available to view over before signing up. Read everything upfront, it’s a tedious job but this way there will be no surprises in the end.
- Are there quality standards set up for doctors, facilities, etc. within the plan and who monitors them.
- And last but not least, take a look at the cost: What can you afford?
- Choose a budget and stick to it.
- Shop around for the best rates.
- List the cost involved for each plan.
When looking for a Healthcare Providers, make sure to take a look at a Kaiser Health Plan. They are a online authorized independent agent for Kaiser Health Plans offering the lowest health insurance rates in Georgia.
Sponsored Posts
health coverage health insurance kaiser kaiser health plan kaiser permanente KPHealthPlans Written on 20 June 2008 by bibi=======================================================
On the Road Again…
This time in Madrid, the capital of Spain. Also the largest city in Spain. If you’ve never been, you have to go at least once in your life. It’s one of those places not to be missed.
While an up to date and modern city it also sports the charm of yesteryear, with it’s historic neighborhoods throughout and with landmarks such as the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Teatro Real with it’s restored Opera House from the 1850’s. It’s most famous park completely surrounded by Madrid is the Parque del Buen Retiro dating back to the 1620’s, land originally given to Phillip IV for the courts recreational use. History abounds here, if you are a history buff you’ll be in seventh heaven.
There are a myriad of cultural activities to be absorbed. Galleries, Museums, Art and Literature study centers,Symphony and Opera, historical Landmarks, Bullfighting and local fare. Just walking around looking at the architecture is a treat in itself. If you are a soccer fan you will find some of the best soccer in Europe here.
To get there is easy, there is a major international airport in the city called Barrjas International Airport, with flights from all over the world. Their main airline is called Iberia Airlines.
To get around Madrid is even easier, you have your choice of the National rail system that runs through Madrid or the Madrid Metro known as one of the most extensive metro systems in the world.
Accommodations are boundless in Madrid, no matter what price range you are looking for you will find something that suits your taste and pocketbook, from cheap Madrid Hotels, to five star Hotels.
While there indulge in the fabulous food, notorious nightlife and enjoy the warmth of the Madrilenios.
destinia.com madrid madrid cheap hotels Written on 20 June 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Online SocialSphere Marketing…
iHype.com Launches another great way to market your company or monetize your website. The buzz is humming, iHype is the next best thing for businesses to get the word out about their companies.
If you are an advertiser looking to market your company through the blogosphere, check out iHype.com on for size. They have created a platform which allows your company to gain from the opportunity to advertise on the SocialSphere. The SocialSphere consists of blogs, online conversations, news posts and reviews and more. To be able to capture just a fraction of the traffic generated by the SocialSphere would have an incredible impact on any company.
It’s easy to join and get started. All advertisers have to do is :
- Sign up and create an advertiser account.
- Create a new marketing campaign and set pricing, choose a public or private campaign.
- View results as publishers subscribe to your campaign, and publish content on the Social Sphere.
- Measure the impacts of your traffic numbers, social buzz and search engine rankings.
- Rate and review any publishers for their quality of work.
All this will quickly generate hype and awareness about your products and services through word-of-mouth marketing, targeted and relevant traffic, organic content and link backs to your company helping raise your rank among search engines.
The iHype platform allows you the advertiser to set your own prices, there are no set prices or deposits. You have the freedom to choose the price for the content that you are getting.
Fast, easy and flexible, try iHype.com
Sponsored post…
iHype.com online marketing socialsphere marketing platform Written on 10 June 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Create Your Own Slide Show…
If you are into taking pictures of everything that moves, take a look at creating a slide show out of your personal pictures. Check out the service at Smilebox.com. They not only provide a way to organize, edit and share your photos like other picture solutions but they go farther and enable you to choose from hundreds of unique multimedia designs, and personalize them with your own style, photos, text, videos, and music, and then share them via e-mail, print or blog.
You can easily create you own personalized slide show from hundreds of slide show themes for every occasion you could think of in a matter of just a few minutes. All it takes is three steps:
- Choose a slide show theme.
- Personalize it by adding photos, videos, captions and music.
- And then e-mail, blog or print at home or a local retail store.
The best part is that it is free.
When you come back from taking pictures next time, go and try out Smilebox.com. Whether they are vacation pictures, pictures from a birthday or a buddy’s going away party, or maybe photography is your hobby, transforms those pictures into something special by creating a slide show that you can share with friends and family so that everyone can enjoy, even those that could not be at the party.
Turn those pictures into a fantastic slide show in minutes, it’s fun, it’s easy and it’s free…
Sponsored Post
photography pictures slide show smilebox.com Written on 2 June 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Cross-promoting Your Blog…
I ran into a great new place to cross promote your blog or site. It’s at 23Blogs.com - FREE Blog Roll TEXT Link Exchange.(1:10). They provide a place where blogs can cross-promote each other by displaying a box containing text-links in order to earn credits. 23blogs.com is a free 1:10 text link exchange.
Traffic is the most elusive thing on the net. With millions of sites and blogs out there getting traffic to come and especially stay or keep coming is very, very difficult. I know that there are hundreds maybe even thousands of places to promote your blog, but because traffic is so difficult to get and maintain, every little bit helps. So it doesn’t hurt to sign up to places like 23blogs.com.
Traditionally we help each other by cross-promoting each others sites one by one as we get requests. Well 23blogs.com has come up with a widget where you can display other sites/blogs and your site will be on someone else’s widget.
Other Features are:
- 1000 Impressions for signing up
- More than 10 different CSS Styles
- Get credits for referrals
- Real-time Stats
- Targeted traffic-Choose category where you text-ad is placed
- Free content for your site
- It’s Free…
For Cross-promotion go to 23Blogs.com - FREE Blog Roll TEXT Link Exchange.(1:10)
cross promotion link exchange targeted traffic Written on 28 May 2008 by bibi=======================================================
Hen Weekends…
A hen weekend is a girls night out on the town and much more. At Betterweekends.com they can arrange for some great Hen Weekends that will fill memories for you and your friends for years to come. Hen Weekends can be arranged almost everywhere in the UK and all over Europe and coming up also in the US.
Anything you and your friends can imagine can be booked for your weekend, some of the activities that can be booked for you can include:
- 3 Course Dinner and VIP Party At Sound Nightclub in London
- 4 x 4 Off Roading Day
- 4×4 Blind Driving and Paintball
- Abseiling and Rap Running
- Adonis Cabaret Show
- Adventure Island Theme Park
- Afternoon Tea at The Ritz/ Park Lane Hotel in London
- Air Rifle Shooting
- Comedy Club and Nightclub
- Laughter Gym
- Complete Relaxation Pampering
- Cooking Lessons with Meal
- Curling
- Dance Lessons
- Day At The Races
- Medieval Banquet
- and much more…
Some of the cities where activities are available are:
- Ireland
- Cork
- Dublin
- The UK: 26 cities
- Portugal
- Algarve
- The Netherlands
- Amsterdam
- Spain
- Barcelona
- Majorca
- Costa Brava
- Slovakia
- Bratislava
- Hungary
- Budapest
- Czech Republic
- Prague
- Poland
- Krakow
- Warsaw
They are also going worldwide and are now offering weekends in Las Vegas.
If you are looking for that something special to share with your friends, then check out Hen Weekends let them set-up the outing of your dreams.
