| Spending detox worth every penny saved
I loved blogging daily at MiamiHerald.com/business (The Frugalista Files) about my experience in spending detox. There were ups (realizing that I had leftover cash after paying both my rent and light bill in a single pay period) and downs (staying home Valentine's Day with no plans). But over all, this has been one of the best experiences of my life. After doing the no-buy month, I realized that I spent way too much and, more importantly, I could change my situation. Like me, many young consumers have a spending problem. According to cardtrak.com, the average credit-card debt per household with a card is $9,659. Many college students graduate with an average of $20,000 in student loan debt. I have both a credit card balance and a student loan to pay off. I want them gone, sooner rather than later.
Credit card industry tries to hook young people
All major banking institutions pay big money to colleges and universities for on-campus recruiting rights, offering students low initial interest rates and/or other sweetheart deals if they accept a credit card. The rest of us get solicitations through our phone or the mails.Seductive sales campaigns focus on high school graduates and for all kinds of items that TV, movies or society has told them they want, need, should have because they deserve it and others have, so why don't they? Car dealers offer "one-time sales events" to first-time wage earners, high-end electronic stores give 90-day-same-as-cash deals and guarantee that no one will be turned down, furniture showrooms offer newlyweds "no payments 'til next year," cell phones, Internet providers, cable companies, satellite dish outfits all make it sound as if you can't have a decent life without their help.All this has given birth to an additional parasite - the debt-consolidation, paycheck-cashing, payday-loan, instant-refinancing-of-your-car (and you get to keep your car - 'til they come to take it away) industry.Public schools teach kids how to drive, play sports, fit a condom, take birth control pills, find an abortionist or fill out a job application at McDonald's.
Wickes Furniture gives up hope of reorganizing
It appears the 20 Wickes Furniture stores in the Chicago area may have a short future. The Wheeling-based Wickes Furniture Co. announced Tuesday it has abandoned hopes of reorganization and agreed to put itself on the bankruptcy auction block before the end of the month, according to court papers. Citing ''operating losses and liquidity concerns,'' Wickes said Monday it would seek bankruptcy court approval to sell all its assets by Feb. 29. The company said it would be sold either as an operating business or piecemeal in a liquidation. Wickes Furniture stores are currently selling merchandise in the store and in the warehouse, but taking only credit-card payments. Back orders may be subject to a refund. Merchandise was still being delivered and serviced on Tuesday, a service representative said.
Bush Addresses Policy on Africa
We have seen that conditions on the other side of the world can have a direct impact on our own security. We know that if Africa were to continue on the old path of decline, it would be more likely to produce failed states, foster ideologies of radicalism, and spread violence across borders. We also know that if Africa grows in freedom, and prosperity, and justice, its people will choose a better course. People who live in societies based on freedom and justice are more likely to reject the false promise of the extremist ideology. Citizens who see a future of opportunity are more likely to build hopeful economies that benefit all the people. Nations that replace disease and despair with healing and hope will help Africa do more than just survive -- it will help Africa succeed. For all these reasons, America has dramatically increased our commitment to development in Africa.
Guess Which Drug Is Illegal?
It has been deemed highly dangerous, potentially toxic, even lethal, and for years the government and the Centers for Disease Control and your own mother have issued all sorts of lies and alarmist B.S. about it, like how it drains spinal fluid, induces brain aneurisms, makes you vote Libertarian. Which is not to say taking it doesn't have its random dangers, but, you know, please. This drug is famous for producing incredible feelings of euphoria, openness, warmth and love and happiness in almost everyone who takes it. It is staggeringly effective, non-addictive, and when taken somewhat responsibly and with a slight hint of intelligence, has very few, if any, notable or permanent side effects. Its positives border on miraculous. It can effortlessly break down long-held psychological barriers, remove obstacles to communication and stifled emotion, make patients/users feel open and happy and much better able to handle stress, anxiety, all manner of trauma.
Wachovia allowing illegal drafts from checking accounts
RIP-OFF ALERT: A well-respected bank with a huge national presence has been involved in a criminal enterprise. There were little inklings of this last year, but now The New York Times has released internal Wachovia memos that show the company aided and abetted criminal rings in stealing from people's checking accounts. In the interest of full disclosure, Clark wants you to know that he owns stock in Wachovia. It's one of the few non-index or mutual fund choices he has in his portfolio. As a stockholder, he's embarrassed and outraged by this news. Worse still is the fact that federal banking regulators are sleeping on the job -- they first discovered this scam 3 years ago. .
Web gamblers betting on Barack Obama
According to several overseas online exchanges, Obama is now a virtual lock to win all the upcoming primaries, including Texas and Ohio — the states Hillary Clinton is pinning her hopes on. And he's the even-money favorite to be elected President in November. "Obama has all the momentum, and the betting odds reflect that," said Steve Budin, an oddsmaker at sportsinfo.com who puts Obama's likelihood of being President at 4-5, with Clinton and John McCain both at 3-2. And the payoffs can rival any race track. Gabriel Weil, 22-year-old college student, has made about $1,500, much of it by shorting Rudy Giuliani — selling shares in the former mayor that he did not yet own and assuming he could buy them later at a lower price and pocket the difference.
Mike Rann in politics for 'another ten years'
ALREADY the country's longest serving premier, South Australian leader Mike Rann says he intends to stay in politics for another 10 years. Mr Rann, 55, said today he intended to continue his political career until he turned 65, although he conceded whether or not he remained premier for all that time was up to the voters. "I've actually named the date, I've done what (former prime minister) John Howard didn't do," he told ABC NewsRadio, referring to Mr Howard's refusal to specify exactly when he would retire. Tongue-in-cheek, Mr Rann said when he turned 65 he would "pursue that career in the film industry that I've been training for". The premier will turn 65 on January 5, 2018. "I said I'd be staying in politics until I'm 65 ...
So much for a quiet family dinner
Assault on a peace officer, attempting to take a weapon from a peace officer and resisting arrest, 4817 N.W. Stallings Drive, Kinfolks. As Precinct 3 constable, Roger Dudley, was having dinner with his family, a man walked in and began arguing with Kinfolk employees. The man, Elmer Christopher Woodard, 28, of 1317 FM 843, saw Dudley's constable car and demanded to know who he was. When he identified himself, Woodard went over and began arguing with him, the report said. NPD was called and once officers arrived, a fight broke out between Woodard and the officers, when he attempted to take one of the officer's weapons, according to the report. The constable received an injury to his hand during the scuffle, and Woodard was arrested. ——— Felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance, 2800 block of Pearl Street.
Wall St lifted higher by retailers, banks
US STOCKS rebounded overnight in an abbreviated session as the start of holiday shopping lifted retail stocks, while progress in a plan to relieve the credit market's strain aided bank shares. Shares of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup all rose more than 2 per cent. The three banks, spearheading an effort to establish a superfund to ease problems in the credit market, are expected to seek support from others in the industry, The Wall Street Journal reported. Discount chain Target led retailers higher as droves of shoppers turned out - in some cases before dawn - for Black Friday, the official beginning of the holiday shopping season. Trading volume was thin in the shortened session. US financial markets were closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving. On Wednesday stocks suffered heavy losses on credit market and housing sector worries.
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