Financial News of the Day

Edwards Finance Trial Wraps Up

May16
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Tracy

The former senator John Edwards has been in the news a lot recently, but not for the political achievements he would like to achieve or the image he would like to portray. Instead most of the coverage in recent years has swirled around his extra-marital affair and charges that he used campaign money to cover up the affair. The subsequent trial has been widely covered by many media outlets but there is much debate over what the outcome will be.

The prosecution spent two weeks calling witnesses and providing evidence that 2008 presidential candidate knowingly used campaign finances to hide his affair from the media. However the defense took a different approach. In just over two days they presented their argument without calling Edwards or his daughter to the stand. The jury is set to begin deliberations on Friday; however, it is anyone’s guess when they will have a decision. More about the trial can found here

The outcome is sure to have a profound impact on Edwards and his family. If found guilty on all counts he could spend nearly 3 decades in prison as well as pay over $1 million in fines. The results will also impact his young children since he has been a single parent since his wife Elizabeth’s passing nearly 2 years ago.

The outcome is sure to have a profound impact on Edwards and his family. If found guilty on all counts he could spend nearly 3 decades in prison as well as pay over $1 million in fines. The results will also impact his young children since he has been a single parent since his wife Elizabeth’s passing nearly 2 years ago.

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Posted in Government, Legal, Money, News, Politics

Reports Indicate Small Personal Loans on the Rise

Apr09
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Tracy

Even though the economy has been showing small signs of improvement, money is still tight for many people. Having the funds to pay daily and monthly expenses can be a real challenge but when an emergency occurs it can be all but impossible to handle. As a result many people are deciding on a small personal loan . An article by timesunion.com describes how many people use these loans as last resort to avoid paying bills late and sometimes to help improve a low credit score. It’s a tough decision to make but ultimately it’s one that each individual has to make for themselves.

Posted in Economy - Tagged

Getting the Mortgage Industry Back in Gear

Sep03
2011 1 Comment Written by Tracy

The latest news is that mortgage interest rates are approaching all time lows. All though house buying is still low there has been a big upswing in refinancing. In fact lenders across the country are struggling to keep up with this demand. This has been problematic for banks as many have let a big proportion of their mortgage staff go when interest rates rose at the beginning of the year. This means that the time it takes to refinance has gotten longer and the average is now sixty days.

Now refinancing applications are up a massive 83% since the beginning of the year. The average rate on a thirty year fixed loan is now 4.15%. A rate this low has not been seen since 1971!

Delays are being accentuated by stricter requirements from the underwriters. Added to this are disclosure guidelines that leave little room for shortcuts. However its the manpower issues that are really hampering the speed and because its an industry that relies on the human interaction its paying the price. All aspects including appraisals, title cos, insurance – have all been downsizing.

Now the current government is trying urgently to get the housing marketplace moving again – however speed of operations is a factor that holding them back. Also many homeowners have negative equity therefore they are having problems refinancing.

If the refinance industry was to get up to speed it may well affect the nations economy. Mortgage payments would go down and households would have more disposable income to spend. Banks could then get back on track as this boost would spur new home loans.  This would help to get the nation’s mortgage industry back in gear.

Information provided by the Mortgage Calculator helping consumers to answer questions such as – How much mortgage can I afford?

Posted in Real Estate

West Memphis Three and American Justice

Aug23
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Tracy

The American justice system is theorized to be one of the most fair, humane and practical legal systems that has existed throughout history and differing cultures. Even so, there are a number of flaws that are recognized and problems that are inherent to the system. A jury trial by our peers is not always a guarantee that the truth will be revealed and a just answer will be given. In addition, the financial aspect of paying for representation brings with it the ability of the upper classes to buy the best lawyers in the land, while the poor and destitute are frequently represented by state appointed attorneys who are overworked and underpaid. All things considered, there are a few other factors that enter into the potential problems. One of the ongoing theoretical dilemmas of our justice system occurs before the accused actually enters the courtroom. This is the topic of confessions and the occurrence of false confessions. And while the topic might seem single structured and simple to address, there are a few components and perspectives that are attached to it.

srqpix's photos via Getty Images

On the face of it, the majority of the population believes that if a person confesses to a crime they are guilty. That is also the intuitive response and in a similar line of thinking most of the population believes that they would never confess to a crime they did not commit. And here we have that dangerous word ‘never.’ Interestingly, the majority of the population also believes they would not respond to peer pressure or succumb to the majority mindset that was proven in the 1950′s psychological experiments. The only problem is, that with everyone believing they would stand out, no one is left to be the majority. Online networking sites and social media outlets are becoming popular places to discuss political and other socially relevant topics such as these. Videos for Elixir Interactive demonstrates the value of networking to businesses and professionals, while many sites are also excellent resources for topical discussions.So, back to the topic at hand, people do succumb to pressure and false confessions do exist. An interesting example has been recently highlighted with the release of the Memphis Three.

The crime took place in 1993 and the conviction was reached in 1994. The crime and the men convicted have remained in the public eye primarily through various online media sites. Elixir Interactive social media tips demonstrate the effectiveness of online networking options and the important role they can play in social awareness. The three men were convicted of the brutal murder of three children outside of West Memphis, Tennessee. There was, and remains, a lot of controversy surrounding the case and the subsequent conviction of the three teenagers who were convicted. The conviction rested largely on the confession of one of the teenagers, whose IQ has been estimated at around 70 and who endured about 12 hours of interrogation. He later recanted his confession, and the facts he gave at the time were in conflict with those of the crime. The three men received a lot of media support due to the attention and advocacy of various celebrities that believed the three were innocent, or at least falsely convicted.

Posted in Crime, Legal, News - Tagged , ,

Fisker Announces New Karma

Jul25
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Tracy

Fisker just recently announced the new release of their model Karma. The car is an electric vehicle with a sleek design and is marketed as a luxury vehicle. This new model has sparked much attention and has caught the eyes of many people.

These cars are expected to sell for around $100,000 and Fisker has announced that that it is expected to be sold out until 2012, as they have already received 3,000 pre-orders. Leonardo Di Caprio will be the first person to receive the new car but there are also some other big names such as Al Gore and Colin Powell who are expected to buy the new car as well.

The design of the car is sleek and luxurious and features custom rims and a sports car look. The car is definitely designed to be a high end model and it is no wonder that car enthusiasts are looking to buy it. The interior of the car is leather and has a smart design which is functional yet advanced.

The Karma will run for 50 miles on a lithium-ion battery back and after that if will run on a 260 horsepower, 2 liter engine switches on to recharge the battery. While it isn’t one hundred percent electric, it is a revolutionary car in its field.

Many companies are now beginning to realize the demand for fuel efficient and electric cars. This is a market that has barely been tapped into and it has so much potential. Typically people think of the Prius when they are thinking about energy efficient cars, and for as revolutionary as the Prius was, the design was less than exciting, especially the rims. More and more manufacturers are starting to combine fuel efficient and sustainable with sleek and modern designs. As more companies begin to break into this market, the types of cars available will begin to increase and the amount of people who will want to buy them will increase as well.

Posted in Automotive, Economy, Money - Tagged , , , ,

Support Local

Jun14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Tracy

There is no denying that everyone has their favorite restaurant or shop that is unique to their hometown or community. Locally owned businesses and companies offer many benefits to the community and really are the backbone of a community. Here are four great reasons to support your local businesses.

1. More Money Stays In the Local Economy
When you purchase products or services from a locally owned company, more of the money stays in the local economy through payroll, taxes and the people who make the money are more likely to spend it at a local shop. Recently, Cinda Baxter has founded the 3/50 project which encourages people to support local by showing how much revenue it creates within the community.

2. Local Non-Profits and Charities Receive Larger Donations
Local businesses are more likely to donate to local charities or non-profits which will affect you directly. It is shown that local charities receive more donations from small independent businesses than large national companies.local fair

3. Adds Character to the Community
One of the absolute best reasons to support local is the fact that it adds character and charm to a community. Everyone remembers going to their favorite restaurant or store that can only be found in their town. Small independent places add life to the community by offering not only something different but a flare that cannot be found anywhere else.

4. Local Businesses are More Likely to be Invested in the Community
Since the people that own and work at these types of places live in the community, they are more likely to be involved and invested in the community. These people are neighbors, friends, and people who care about the community and want to support and grow the community. They are also more responsive to the needs of the community as they know what people want, need and will buy.

Local businesses such as Next Day Blinds, support the community in many different ways and in return it a good idea to support them as well.

Posted in Business - Tagged , , ,

Debra Brown Released After 17 Years in Prison

Jun13
2011 1 Comment Written by Tracy

Debra Brown has finally been released from prison and is enjoying her freedom. She was originally convicted of the murder of Lael Brown in 1993 but has recently been found factually innocent of the crime.

Brown spent 17 years in prison for a crime she is now found innocent of. She has started to answer press questions at her attorney’s law office in Salt Lake City. Debra talks about how different everything is and how much things have changed while she was in prison. She is now able to build relationships with her children and her grandchildren and she compares herself to an adult child, as she has to learn how to do pretty much everything.

With so many changes in technology in the past 17 years, Debra has to learn how to turn on a vacuum, work a cell phone, and use a computer. She is enjoying the simple pleasures of life such as carpet, pajamas and being able to multi task. Brown says she can now watch tv, ride her stationary bike, and crochet all at the same time, a pleasure she wasn’t afforded in prison.

Brown was released May 9 and has been living with her children. Recently, the Attorney General has called for an appeal of her case which could end up sending her back to prison. The Attorney General states that he doesn’t want to set a “flawed legal precedent” and allow other prisoners to challenge their convictions.

Debra Brown and her family are worried about this new appeal but her lawyers are confident that she will win the case, especially having been found factually innocent.

Posted in Crime, News - Tagged , ,

In and Out of Vegas

Jun02
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Tracy

A trip to Las Vegas is something that most people want to experience in their life. They may not be gamblers or particularly fond of showgirls, but there is so much more to see and do in Vegas than the casinos and stages. Visitors can spend their entire trip on the famous Vegas Strip or they can venture out into the surrounding city and region. Either way, they will return home with one of a kind memories that they can cherish for the rest of their life.

Las Vegas is famous for its showcase hotels and resorts. Walking up and down the Strip, visitors are treated to a variety of architectures, features, and even free entertainment. Each resort has its own internal attractions to keep guest busy. For example the mgm hotel las vegas has a lion habitat while the Bellagio has stunning fountains. Every hotel has amazing restaurants and shows as well as a casino.

The city has more to offer than just casinos. It’s much better for tourists to treat the planet hollywood las vegas like any other hotel in any other city. It’s a place to sleep and eat while they spend the rest of their time exploring the city. Vegas has standard museums as well as special ones like the neon museum. It has a zoo, parks, a botanical garden and the largest indoor amusement park in the world. Visitors can go outside the city to visit Hoover Dam and Lake Mead or take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. At night there are plenty of shows to see as well as the the Freemont Street experience and walking along the Strip which is completely different at night than in the daylight.

Posted in Travel - Tagged

New York Landmarks You Can’t Miss

May23
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Tracy

Taking on th Big Apple is something that lots of people dream about doing. Whether they are fictional characters from a television show like Glee or flesh and blood people like you and your friends. As you plan your trip to NYC, you’ll want to make a list of all the sights and attractions you want to see — and then be prepared to narrow that list down to fit the actual time constraints and budget of your trip.

If you’re a first time visitor to NYC, there are certain landmarks that you probably want to see right away. Times Square, Central Park, Ground Zero, and the Statue of Liberty are probably high on that list. Art lovers will have lists of galleries and museums like the MOMA and the Whitney Museum. History buffs could spend weeks trekking from museums to historic neighborhoods to birthplaces of famous residents. Families will want to take in zoos, parks, and special attractions like the science museum, the New York Public Library and, of course, the flagship FAO Schwartz store.

Many of the city’s landmarks are famous example of architecture, such as the Chrysler and Empire State buildings. The city is also home to the historic brownstones of Brooklyn, the United Nations Building and Rockefeller Center. More modern architecture is displayed in the Time Warner Center and the Hearst Tower .

Of course, if you are determined to see as much of the city as you possibly can in one visit, you should probably look into obtaining a New York City Pass or similar program. These cards grant you accelerated admission to all the top attractions in the city at a discounted rate.

Posted in Travel - Tagged

Designing a Child’s Bedroom

May06
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Tracy

Moving to a new home is a great opportunity to redecorate, not just the main living area, but also the bedrooms. Parents can alleviate some of the stress children feel in moving by giving them input in the new design of their room. It is a good idea when doing this to incorporate elements that encourage and inspire learning.

Most kids are going to be attracted by images and objects that are associated with their favorite characters from books, movies, and cartoons. Or they will have a favorite thing, like dinosaurs or space ships. The problem with allowing these themes to dominate a room is that kids are notorious for changing their interests. Kids should be encouraged to choose just a few items to be features or accessories that represent their favorite theme or story. The rest of the room should be more neutral.

Toy storage and display are going to be important in a child’s room, but parents should also take steps to ensure a place for educational items. Books should be easily accessible and possibly a desk for doing homework. Many families use globes or wall maps as both reference items and to inspire curiosity about the world. Games and puzzles that incorporate the child’s favorite themes can also be educational elements.

Posted in Home & Garden - Tagged
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