Online Stock Trading Tips

Trading stocks online isn’t for the faint at heart, especially when one good market day can result in an unexpected crash the next. The vast number of stock trading platforms from some of the biggest names in finance offer stock solutions to experts right on down to a day trader or novice. Before you begin investing your life savings into an unpredictable market economy, keep these stock trading tips in mind.

• Pay attention to industry trends-If an up and coming website or company gets extensive media attention or business, consider purchasing stock from them.

• Don’t be afraid to invest for fear of loss…the quicker you buy stocks, the faster you can make a profit.

• Know your trade options: some services allow you to use your mobile phone for trades, as well as faxing or over-the-phone.

• If you cancel a trade, make sure it’s complete before making another trade. Simply because you receive a cancellation receipt, it may have already gone through. Know who to contact for trading.

• Don’t trade with a company you don’t know anything about. If possible, look into their investment history, so you know you’re trading reputable stock.

• Join an online stock trading service that provides up-to-date market forecasts and comprehensive market overview features. When trading, you need access to instant stats.

StarReviews cites online stock trading services TD Ameritrade and Zecco as great choices in personal investment that incorporate the latter. Zecco offers great rates and 10 free trades a month if stock brokers meet the minimum balance requirement.

Options trades are $4.50 a trade, which is a low rate that new traders will surely appreciate. Similarly, TD Ameritrade runs specials such as 30-day commission-free trades and a $100 bonus on current new account openings. Before signing up with a particular company, consider your level of trading expertise, as well as your financial resources, as some sites offer lower rates than others.

Holiday Hotel Booking Deals

Anyone traveling this holiday season will either stay with friends and family or book a hotel room. Luckily, hotel reservation services are a convenient means of securing the best rooms in any city across the nation…or world. Many prominent hotels and more discreet names are slashing their prices on winter stays, especially on seasonal destinations.

If you enjoy winter-inspired getaways to beautiful location such as Vail and Aspen, Colorado, StarReviews reports that Hotels.com is offering huge savings on ski condo stays. For interested travelers, the sale runs through March and top-rated ski destinations are included. Besides extending great discounts and offers, the Hotels website is running a Vacation Giveaway for in-demand locations like Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

If your idea of a fabulous winter weekend isn’t in downtown Manhattan or the slopes in ski-lodge-saturated cities, why not check out international rates abroad? GTA Hotels, for instance, runs continuous special offers on cities such as London, Venice and even Paris. Even for the non-globe-trotting individual, these specials are hard to resist. International travel doesn’t have to burn a hole in your wallet, as long as you book ahead and on rooms with travel discounts.

Hotel reservation services are the perfect trip-planning tool, especially if you’re interested in holiday travel. Not only are you able to preview your actual room, you’ll gain access to brand-new specials continuously. Most hotel booking sites allow you to sign up for newsletter updates, which send news and discounts right to your inbox. Before the holidays arrive and rooms fill up, book your reservation online to enjoy the colder months ahead.

Single Parent Dating Tips

Any single parent who wants to find a match both inside and out knows how tough the process can be! Not only are many single mom’s and dad’s busy with work and supporting their families, taking care of the kids on the weekends can eliminate any time spent on themselves. Many parents playing a solo role in their child’s life may wish to find true love, but can’t picture making it back out in the dating world. Keeping these tips in mind can make your shot at love much easier:

· Never feel like you’re alone-you’re among nearly 15 million single individuals bringing up children.

· Despite any reservations you may have, dating is ok at any age!

· Talk with your kids if you’re going on a date or bringing a new guy or gal home. The more comfortable you make them feel, the less likely they’ll perceive your dating as a threat.

· Don’t get involved with an individual you have doubts about. Chances are, if your intuition says no, this person isn’t right for you or your family.

· If using an online dating service, be honest about your expectations and family life. Your potential partner will accept every aspect of your life if they’re right for you!

· If someone doesn’t like that you have kids, don’t try to change their mind. They either like the total package or they’re not worth it.

Single parent online dating is extremely popular and a means for unmarried mom’s and dad’s to meet each other. StarReviews cites Single Parent Love Life as a great single parent dating site that lets you send and receive messages within the service itself. Blending fun and interactive features, they allow you to branch out and meet potential matches, all while keeping an air of anonymity for you and your kids.

When using an online dating service, always remember to keep your profile up-to-date and straightforward and you’ll be quick to attract someone who accepts you for who you are!

Auto Loan AdvicePurchasing a brand-new, 2008 vehicle may seem like an attractive holiday buy, but many new car owners are unaware of the various kinds of auto loans available right on the Web. Some auto loan providers give you direct access to loans and offer instant approvals, so you can buy your dream car without too many worries. However, before choosing an auto loan online, keep these tips in mind:

• Know your credit score: If it isn’t the best, opt for an auto loan service that isn’t too choosy. For example, Funding Way’s Auto Credit Express has more lenient credit requirements than other auto loan providers.

• Consider timing-the end of the year is a great time to purchase vehicles from the previous year: they’re still new, but dealers want to focus solely on those ’08-tagged cars, leaving you with possible savings!

• If you’re not happy with a current auto loan rates, consider auto loan refinance. It’s similar to home mortgage refinance, but on your vehicle.

• If your auto loan interest rates are high, don’t get discouraged! If you faithfully make your payments on time and monitor your credit score, you’ll be able to lower your rates with time.

• If you have your heart set on a pricey ride, consider a more cost-effective option. This will not only save you on auto loan rates, you’ll be in a better position of auto loan approval.

• Shop around: consider filling out an auto loan application on several provider’s websites. That way, you’ll get a complete feel for what you can afford.

Buying a new car is a growing trend, with numbers last year indicating a great leap in six-year loans, according to the Consumer Bankers Association. If you don’t like the idea of leasing and don’t have a blank check to pay a new car balance in full, StarReviews reports that some auto loan providers such as Capital One offer instant approval, as well as versatile loan periods.

Cars Direct gives customers access to manufacturer deals and rebates, as well as loan calculators and car-buying resources. Obtaining an auto loan has never been easier, especially with the help of auto loan services.

Discount College Textbooks

Most college students’ fall semesters are drawing to a close, leaving piles of textbooks unused or nearly obsolete. As classes begin to wrap up for winter break, many students are hoping to bring in some extra cash for the holidays through textbook buyback programs.

Many college campus bookstores offer to purchase back your unwanted textbooks, but with a cost. Though you may earn a few bucks here and there, you’ll only get a fraction of the price you paid for a particular book.

College textbook services are growing rapidly as more students experience the convenience and affordability characterizing these sites. For example, eCampus is a textbook site that not only lets you buy and sell your books at discount prices, you get free shipping on orders of $59 or more. $59 can easily be the cost of one textbook, so taking advantage of their current shipping policy will inevitably save you time and money.

Textbooks.com, another popular college textbook website, offers generous buyback offers for book owners. If you’d like to sell your used textbook to other students, you have the opportunity to use the online marketplace to do so.

If you dread carrying stacks of college textbooks back to the bookstore for a few dollars come end of finals, consider using one of the many textbook sites online. StarReviews reports that eCampus even sells DVDs, college apparel, and non-academic books, so anyone shopping for the holiday season can find great gift purchases here as well. Any time of year, college textbook services provide reasonably-priced books for all students.

Job Hunt Advice


Finding a new career in today’s fast-paced world isn’t as easy as it looks. Though online job search engines are incredibly popular, sometimes it’s hard to know where to look or what to look for! One underlying issue of concern for job seekers is the vast number of applicants sent in each minute, every day.
No one has to wait for the Sunday classifieds section anymore in order to find the newest jobs…and an applicant on the East Coast may face competition from around the globe. When beginning your job search, consider the following hints to make your experience successful.
• Sign up for a site such as Careerbuilder’s job newsletter-you’ll receive access to newly posted jobs daily.
• In a job search box, enter in as many keywords as you can. If you’re looking for a marketing position, why not add ‘advertising’ and ‘sales’ to increase your search results?
• Check on the weekends: many job sites continuously post new openings-even on the weekends.
• If a job site allows you to post your resume, be sure to take advantage of it. This will increase your chances an employer will gloss by it.
• If you receive correspondence from a potential employer by email, follow it up with a thank you note.

There is no real science behind landing a new job. It may be a matter of timing or even luck, in some instances. Utilizing the best job search engines such as Monster and Careerbuilder allow you to better your chances of finding a great career. StarReviews reports that Monster even gives you access to a career advice center and job-saturated marketplace. You have a great chance of finding your dream job on the Net, if you’re willing to put in the work.

Holiday Greeting Cards

If you’re preparing to pick out holiday-themed greeting cards, you don’t have to traipse down to the corner Hallmark to do so. Online greeting card services provide countless ‘Seasons Greetings’ card options which are sure to impress. If you like to add personalizes messages and images to your annual holiday card, check out what’s offered online!

StarReviews notes American Greetings as a top choice in online greeting cards, especially their create-and-print products. Members can add fun text and shapes, as well as personal greetings and photos to their holiday greeting cards.

Another hit greeting card site, Blue Mountain, allows you to create and print your own greeting cards, as well. Similar to American Greetings, Blue Mountain provides a downloadable design program, which gives you the creative freedom to resize, swap images, change fonts and add text to your holiday greeting card. This site and American Greetings alike offer free, one-month trials for you to test drive their service before paying!

Though greeting card print quality depends on the type of printer you’re hooked up to, you cannot really expect store-bought graphics. However, there is nothing like receiving a greeting card specially designed by someone special, even if it came from their printer! Online greeting cards not only help ring in the holidays, they’re the perfect way to say ‘just thinking about you’ all year long.

Finance Tips for Students

Anyone can identify with the heavy strain placed on a student’s finances. Besides paying for school, many undergrads and those pursuing further education have countless responsibilities and financial obligations to fulfill. Though part-time jobs can cover small expenses, bills and student loan payments can really add up. All students should keep these tips in mind:

· Apply for financial aid early. Make sure you research when the cut off date is and put in your government application in as soon as it’s allowed.

· Pay a visit to your campus financial aid office. Many a times, there are scholarships available that you may not have known existed.

· Keep track of small purchases, such as your weekly spends at Starbucks or dinners out. If you find a significant amount of your cash flow is going to one place, try to reduce it slowly.

· Don’t borrow more than you can pay back: both from friends, parents or credit card companies.

· Shop around for student-friendly banks. Many campuses have in-house banks with flexible account options for students.

· Buy used textbooks for your classes. You may not save a whole lot, but you’ll reduce some of your semester expenses.

· Consider signing up for a student credit card, with added benefits and savings.

Many student credit cards offer great cash back bonuses, such as the Discover Student Monogram Card. StarReviews reports that this particular student credit card provides 5% back on qualifying purchases, as well as the opportunity to double your rewards at participating merchants.

The Discover Student Tropical Beach card doesn’t charge an annual fee, either, which is a popular perk of many student credit cards. Custom credit cards and all, any student should monitor their spending habits to prevent any financial fiascos from occurring.

Online Dating Advice

If you’re like most singles, you struggle to find time to balance work, your social life and personal hobbies. Let’s face it: many singles are tired of the bar crowd scene, don’t have the time to pass out their numbers at Barnes & Noble and are prohibited from dating coworkers.

Many individuals have turned to online dating service for a chance at love, approximately 7 million members and counting to be exact. But, before you post a photo or complete your online profile, consider the following pieces of successful dating advice.

· When dating online, you’re sure to encounter some folk you wouldn’t think twice about in ‘the real world.’ Allow yourself time to find the right one, as opposed to jumping into anything.

· Always be honest in your profile and when communicating with a potential partner. Simply because the beginning stages of a relationship are done via the Internet, it doesn’t mean you should misrepresent yourself.

· Don’t give out personal information (such as your phone number or personal email) until you have a good feel for who the person you’re talking to is.

· It’s a good idea never to give out a work number or email address; in the event that things go awry and your not-so-significant other decides to harass you while you’re on the job.

· If you’re dating online, go for a paid service. You have a better chance of finding someone who is serious about finding a relationship, as opposed to a casual fling.

· Don’t wait too long before meeting an online match. If someone doesn’t want to see you, there is a reason. Far be it from us to say they’re married, but if someone is into you, they inherently want to be with you: offline.

· Don’t be negative: Nothing solidifies the end of a relationship faster than someone unloading their dating woe stories on you from the start.

When considering an online dating service, look for a site that matches your personality. For example, StarReviews notes Chemistry as a great choice for adventurous, progressive singles. The signup process is unique and focuses on fun aspects of daters’ personalities.

However, someone who wants precise matching may want to check out eHarmony, a site that matches singles based on comprehensive personality profiles. True is a great online dating site for people who want security-they screen their members for criminal activity! Case in point: there is a diverse, widespread pool of singles online and when wading through, it’s vital to stay true to your wants and needs.