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.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
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.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
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.
· 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!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
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.
• 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.
Monday, November 05, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, November 02, 2007
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Holiday Travel Tips
If you’re going away for the holidays this year, you’re probably unhappily anticipating a hike in gas prices, long lines at airport security and delays all-around. According to the Bureau of Transportation, Thanksgiving and the winter holiday season are the busiest long-distance travel times in a given year. While travelers cannot avoid hefty waits at check-in and traffic on the highway, there are plenty of measures to take in order to alleviate any holiday season travel stress.
• Know when to travel: For local excursions, people tend to leave on Thursdays. If traveling over 100 miles away, Wednesday through Sunday are the most popular days.
• About 90% of Thanksgiving travel is through one’s vehicle.
• The Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving are the busiest days to travel back home. If you book a flight or drive on Tuesday, you’ll avoid a lot of traffic.
• Weather delays don’t always depend on where you’re flying out of. If you live in Florida but are flying to New York, you may experience delays due to a snowstorm, for example.
• Allow ample time to check in at the airport and make it through security. More travelers means more time to wait as each individual is screened.
• Travel on Saturday as opposed to Sunday. Most people want to make it back for work without sacrificing any weekend time.
• The average age of Thanksgiving travelers is just under 34, as opposed to right above 36 for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, according to the BTS.
• Preview airport restrictions and laws implemented for safe air travel…you cannot avoid them and will save a world of time if you plan ahead.
• Book a trip off-season. For example, go to New England when the leaves aren’t changing…you’ll save on local bed and breakfasts, whose popularity heightens during the fall.
• Consider booking through an online travel agency. You can find new discounts and sales each day, as well as vacation packages unavailable elsewhere.
The best discount travel online can be found through sites such as Orbitz and Expedia, according to StarReviews. If you’re an avid planner, you’ll be able to customize your own trip homepage, complete with photos, video and comments through Orbitz’s TripHub.
If you’re like most travelers, saving money is important when going away during the holidays. When booking through Travelocity, you can save just by using a particular credit card. Before the cold weather arrives, consider booking travel online and taking advantages of discount flights and destination-stays.
• Know when to travel: For local excursions, people tend to leave on Thursdays. If traveling over 100 miles away, Wednesday through Sunday are the most popular days.
• About 90% of Thanksgiving travel is through one’s vehicle.
• The Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving are the busiest days to travel back home. If you book a flight or drive on Tuesday, you’ll avoid a lot of traffic.
• Weather delays don’t always depend on where you’re flying out of. If you live in Florida but are flying to New York, you may experience delays due to a snowstorm, for example.
• Allow ample time to check in at the airport and make it through security. More travelers means more time to wait as each individual is screened.
• Travel on Saturday as opposed to Sunday. Most people want to make it back for work without sacrificing any weekend time.
• The average age of Thanksgiving travelers is just under 34, as opposed to right above 36 for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, according to the BTS.
• Preview airport restrictions and laws implemented for safe air travel…you cannot avoid them and will save a world of time if you plan ahead.
• Book a trip off-season. For example, go to New England when the leaves aren’t changing…you’ll save on local bed and breakfasts, whose popularity heightens during the fall.
• Consider booking through an online travel agency. You can find new discounts and sales each day, as well as vacation packages unavailable elsewhere.
The best discount travel online can be found through sites such as Orbitz and Expedia, according to StarReviews. If you’re an avid planner, you’ll be able to customize your own trip homepage, complete with photos, video and comments through Orbitz’s TripHub.
If you’re like most travelers, saving money is important when going away during the holidays. When booking through Travelocity, you can save just by using a particular credit card. Before the cold weather arrives, consider booking travel online and taking advantages of discount flights and destination-stays.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
One of the busiest times of the year for shoppers is the holiday season. Before you duke it out in jam-packed department stores and wade your way through line after line at the checkout, consider online shopping as a more convenient and sanity-saving option. No one wants their holiday spirit extinguished before they even arrive. If you’re considering purchasing all of your gifts online this year, keep the following tips in mind:
• Anytime you purchase something online, print out a receipt of the transaction or product ordered. This way, should you fail to receive what you ordered, you have proof.
• If you order from a site and are emailed for passwords or personal information, don’t give it out. If it’s legitimate, you’ll receive a call to confirm information.
• If you’re concerned about a site’s validity, look for the browser ‘lock icon’ or an order URL beginning with ‘https’ where the ‘s’ means secure.
• If you’re shopping on an online auction or the sort, keep references to ‘refurbished’ or ‘close-out’ products in mind. Don’t expect a new product to come in the mail, they’re letting you know.
If a product is advertised as new, keep a print-out of the description in case you receive a used item.
• Make note of a company’s return policies. Read the fine print for procedures on exchanges or full refunds so you know what to expect before you click ‘order.’
• Sign up to receive a website’s newsletter, so you’ll be notified of any three-day weekend or one-day sales.
• Never click ‘order’ or ‘buy’ twice. There are plenty of instances where your credit card is charged double, which could take some time to fix.
• Make sure you have a comprehensive Internet security software product installed on your PC to prevent any password-stealing pop-up’s or phishing attempts.
Even if you have internet security software installed on your computer, 6Star Reviews notes that it also makes the perfect present for a friend or family member. Most everyone has a PC and Internet security protection is a great way to safeguard their files and information.
Security Shield 2008 for example, provides anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-spam protection, as well as a firewall, parental controls and rootkit prevention tools. On top of these features, you also receive free technical support, which isn’t easy to find anymore! Before you make your holiday shopping lists and browse the Web, keep the above safety tips and advice in mind to make this season hassle-free.
One of the busiest times of the year for shoppers is the holiday season. Before you duke it out in jam-packed department stores and wade your way through line after line at the checkout, consider online shopping as a more convenient and sanity-saving option. No one wants their holiday spirit extinguished before they even arrive. If you’re considering purchasing all of your gifts online this year, keep the following tips in mind:
• Anytime you purchase something online, print out a receipt of the transaction or product ordered. This way, should you fail to receive what you ordered, you have proof.
• If you order from a site and are emailed for passwords or personal information, don’t give it out. If it’s legitimate, you’ll receive a call to confirm information.
• If you’re concerned about a site’s validity, look for the browser ‘lock icon’ or an order URL beginning with ‘https’ where the ‘s’ means secure.
• If you’re shopping on an online auction or the sort, keep references to ‘refurbished’ or ‘close-out’ products in mind. Don’t expect a new product to come in the mail, they’re letting you know.
If a product is advertised as new, keep a print-out of the description in case you receive a used item.
• Make note of a company’s return policies. Read the fine print for procedures on exchanges or full refunds so you know what to expect before you click ‘order.’
• Sign up to receive a website’s newsletter, so you’ll be notified of any three-day weekend or one-day sales.
• Never click ‘order’ or ‘buy’ twice. There are plenty of instances where your credit card is charged double, which could take some time to fix.
• Make sure you have a comprehensive Internet security software product installed on your PC to prevent any password-stealing pop-up’s or phishing attempts.
Even if you have internet security software installed on your computer, 6Star Reviews notes that it also makes the perfect present for a friend or family member. Most everyone has a PC and Internet security protection is a great way to safeguard their files and information.
Security Shield 2008 for example, provides anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-spam protection, as well as a firewall, parental controls and rootkit prevention tools. On top of these features, you also receive free technical support, which isn’t easy to find anymore! Before you make your holiday shopping lists and browse the Web, keep the above safety tips and advice in mind to make this season hassle-free.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Holiday Stationery Sales
It’s never too early to prepare for the winter holidays, especially when it comes to planning a party or purchasing gifts. If this year is like most, you’re probably debating whether to buy Mom a day at the spa or a year’s subscription to her favorite magazine. However, there are plenty of alternatives in gift-giving, especially with online stationery services. Why not really surprise her or anyone special in your life with a unique, personalized present?
Fine Stationery is one source you can turn to for customized holiday gifts and invitations. 6StarReviews.com notes that a vast majority of Fine Stationery’s holiday products are on sale, offering discounts from high-end names like Crane & Co., Monica Maslack and Kate Spade. If you’re not interested in party invitations, you can still pick out holiday photo cards, stationery and gift wrap. Businesses can even pick out corporate greeting cards for their companies!
Another popular stationery service, Tiny Prints, provides you with fun and simple-to-make holiday story cards. Not only can you add family photos and insert a ‘family update’ to keep friends and relatives in-the-know, you are allowed complete freedom in customization. Choose how big or small your card is, along with personalized captions to tell a story with your family photos.
If you own a business or corporation, you can customize holiday cards and event invitations as well.Though invitation and stationery sites have great discounts and options throughout the wintertime, their summer and spring collections are just as popular. If you’re stuck on what to purchase as a present or simply want your own, personalized designs then stationery services are a great option to turn to on the Web.
It’s never too early to prepare for the winter holidays, especially when it comes to planning a party or purchasing gifts. If this year is like most, you’re probably debating whether to buy Mom a day at the spa or a year’s subscription to her favorite magazine. However, there are plenty of alternatives in gift-giving, especially with online stationery services. Why not really surprise her or anyone special in your life with a unique, personalized present?
Fine Stationery is one source you can turn to for customized holiday gifts and invitations. 6StarReviews.com notes that a vast majority of Fine Stationery’s holiday products are on sale, offering discounts from high-end names like Crane & Co., Monica Maslack and Kate Spade. If you’re not interested in party invitations, you can still pick out holiday photo cards, stationery and gift wrap. Businesses can even pick out corporate greeting cards for their companies!
Another popular stationery service, Tiny Prints, provides you with fun and simple-to-make holiday story cards. Not only can you add family photos and insert a ‘family update’ to keep friends and relatives in-the-know, you are allowed complete freedom in customization. Choose how big or small your card is, along with personalized captions to tell a story with your family photos.
If you own a business or corporation, you can customize holiday cards and event invitations as well.Though invitation and stationery sites have great discounts and options throughout the wintertime, their summer and spring collections are just as popular. If you’re stuck on what to purchase as a present or simply want your own, personalized designs then stationery services are a great option to turn to on the Web.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Holiday Flower Specials
A quick and easy way to celebrate the nearing holiday season is by sending someone flowers. Online flower delivery services are gearing up for a busy winter season and already have special sales available on festive arrangements. But, a common misconception is that flower services only sell flowers. This couldn’t be further from the truth!
StarReviews cites FTD as a website that not only provides countless flowers of all kinds, they also personalize custom gift baskets and Thanksgiving centerpieces. What better way to enjoy the holiday than with autumn-inspired colors and designs? Many harvest bouquets and tabletop centerpieces are offered at discount rates, to ensure your holiday is extra special.
Another popular flower site, 1-800-Flowers, is now offering customers special discounts on gift baskets. Though flowers are their specialty, 1-800-Flowers has incredible deals on orchard fruit gift baskets, holiday gourmet gifts and custom-designed gift purchases from names like Paula Deen and the Barefoot Contessa, a Food Network fan’s dream.
Though pre-selected bouquets and arrangements often come in holiday colors, you may wish to pick out your own colors. For Thanksgiving, some great flower choices include chrysanthemums, gerbera daisies and bittersweet. Poinsettias, assorted lilies and orchids are popular picks throughout the Christmas and Hanukkah season. Remember, online flower services can ship arrangements the same day if needed, and they have flowers from all seasons year-round!
A quick and easy way to celebrate the nearing holiday season is by sending someone flowers. Online flower delivery services are gearing up for a busy winter season and already have special sales available on festive arrangements. But, a common misconception is that flower services only sell flowers. This couldn’t be further from the truth!
StarReviews cites FTD as a website that not only provides countless flowers of all kinds, they also personalize custom gift baskets and Thanksgiving centerpieces. What better way to enjoy the holiday than with autumn-inspired colors and designs? Many harvest bouquets and tabletop centerpieces are offered at discount rates, to ensure your holiday is extra special.
Another popular flower site, 1-800-Flowers, is now offering customers special discounts on gift baskets. Though flowers are their specialty, 1-800-Flowers has incredible deals on orchard fruit gift baskets, holiday gourmet gifts and custom-designed gift purchases from names like Paula Deen and the Barefoot Contessa, a Food Network fan’s dream.
Though pre-selected bouquets and arrangements often come in holiday colors, you may wish to pick out your own colors. For Thanksgiving, some great flower choices include chrysanthemums, gerbera daisies and bittersweet. Poinsettias, assorted lilies and orchids are popular picks throughout the Christmas and Hanukkah season. Remember, online flower services can ship arrangements the same day if needed, and they have flowers from all seasons year-round!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Web Safety Trends & Statistics
As children and teens use the Internet more than ever before, parents continue to face potential problems arising from the trend. Stories highlighting issues affecting teens and kids alike run rampant on television news channels. We’ve all heard of the potential risks attached with youngsters using sites like MySpace and Friendster, such as predators obtaining personal information or even classmates bullying someone via their online profile. Plenty of studies and recent industry reports indicate the browsing habits of youth and their parents’ concerns.
· Over 60% of teens ages 13-17 report having a profile on a social networking site.
· Nearly half of teens with profiles were asked to share personal information with someone they didn’t know personally.
· Over 50% of parents feel the Internet mainly has positive impacts on their kids.
· About 70% of teens have unintentionally encountered adult content when surfing the Web.
· Only 1 in 4 teens who received inappropriate messages online alerted a parent or guardian.
· Nearly half of parents surveyed don’t check out what their children type in chat rooms or instant messages.
· Over half of parents surveyed don’t have or don’t know if parental control and monitoring software is installed on their PC’s.
6StarReviews.com reports that parental control software is a viable means for concerned parents to regulate what goes in and out of their PC’s. Net Nanny, for example, blocks all adult content and allows parents to fully monitor where their child surfs and what they’re saying in chat rooms or instant messages.
Child Safe, another popular product, is not only simple to use, you can have comprehensive Internet usage reports emailed right to you. Though monitoring your child or teen’s activity is beneficial, it’s still important to allow them some leeway and discuss Web safety in terms they will understand.
As children and teens use the Internet more than ever before, parents continue to face potential problems arising from the trend. Stories highlighting issues affecting teens and kids alike run rampant on television news channels. We’ve all heard of the potential risks attached with youngsters using sites like MySpace and Friendster, such as predators obtaining personal information or even classmates bullying someone via their online profile. Plenty of studies and recent industry reports indicate the browsing habits of youth and their parents’ concerns.
· Over 60% of teens ages 13-17 report having a profile on a social networking site.
· Nearly half of teens with profiles were asked to share personal information with someone they didn’t know personally.
· Over 50% of parents feel the Internet mainly has positive impacts on their kids.
· About 70% of teens have unintentionally encountered adult content when surfing the Web.
· Only 1 in 4 teens who received inappropriate messages online alerted a parent or guardian.
· Nearly half of parents surveyed don’t check out what their children type in chat rooms or instant messages.
· Over half of parents surveyed don’t have or don’t know if parental control and monitoring software is installed on their PC’s.
6StarReviews.com reports that parental control software is a viable means for concerned parents to regulate what goes in and out of their PC’s. Net Nanny, for example, blocks all adult content and allows parents to fully monitor where their child surfs and what they’re saying in chat rooms or instant messages.
Child Safe, another popular product, is not only simple to use, you can have comprehensive Internet usage reports emailed right to you. Though monitoring your child or teen’s activity is beneficial, it’s still important to allow them some leeway and discuss Web safety in terms they will understand.
Music Download Industry News
The music download industry keeps evolving, as more players enter the game and alliances are formed within a blink of an eye. We’re all aware of AT&T partnering with giant Apple Inc. to promote the iPhone, which of course uses iTunes for its ringtone capabilities. As more mobile phones encompass multimedia functions, the music and telecommunications industries are realizing their unfolding opportunities to meld together.
AT&T and Napster, one of the original music download services, are joining together and providing direct download capabilities, according to CNNMoney. In an effort to avoid mobile-to- PC connections to transfer music files, direct downloads are growing in popularity. More mobile phone owners are using their cell phones as MP3 players, not to mention the added benefit of using downloads as ringtones.
Similarly, in Australia, Nokia is stepping up to the plate in music downloads, providing free Wi-Fi zones for Nokia Nseries customers. They plan to launch a music download service of their own sometime this year, and with their free Wi-Fi campaign, more and more Australian-based Nokia users will be more apt to try it out come launch time.
Telecommunications companies and mobile phone service providers aren’t the only ones switching up the music download industry. StarReviews reports that Amazon’s newest service, AmazonMP3, is offering lower prices on individual songs and albums than some of their competitors, such as iTunes.
Their 2-million some music collection stands out in that its music files are DRM-free and iTunes and Windows Multimedia Player-compatible. Though competition amongst music download providers is inevitable, anyone with a mobile phone or MP3 player will continue to be exposed to countless options.
The music download industry keeps evolving, as more players enter the game and alliances are formed within a blink of an eye. We’re all aware of AT&T partnering with giant Apple Inc. to promote the iPhone, which of course uses iTunes for its ringtone capabilities. As more mobile phones encompass multimedia functions, the music and telecommunications industries are realizing their unfolding opportunities to meld together.
AT&T and Napster, one of the original music download services, are joining together and providing direct download capabilities, according to CNNMoney. In an effort to avoid mobile-to- PC connections to transfer music files, direct downloads are growing in popularity. More mobile phone owners are using their cell phones as MP3 players, not to mention the added benefit of using downloads as ringtones.
Similarly, in Australia, Nokia is stepping up to the plate in music downloads, providing free Wi-Fi zones for Nokia Nseries customers. They plan to launch a music download service of their own sometime this year, and with their free Wi-Fi campaign, more and more Australian-based Nokia users will be more apt to try it out come launch time.
Telecommunications companies and mobile phone service providers aren’t the only ones switching up the music download industry. StarReviews reports that Amazon’s newest service, AmazonMP3, is offering lower prices on individual songs and albums than some of their competitors, such as iTunes.
Their 2-million some music collection stands out in that its music files are DRM-free and iTunes and Windows Multimedia Player-compatible. Though competition amongst music download providers is inevitable, anyone with a mobile phone or MP3 player will continue to be exposed to countless options.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Preventing PC Errors
One of the primary causes of PC problems and irritating errors is deleting files. For many of us, when we see a program we don’t recall or see a file we deem unimportant, we’re quick to delete and erase it. What many of us don’t realize is: these seemingly harmless actions can result in headaches and errors further down the line.
Windows registry errors are a result of broken file paths, missing extensions and basically any interruption in our operating system. Downloading free trials and new software is a common practice for any computer owner. But, erasing unwanted programs isn’t as easy as the install process. There are plenty of things to keep in mind before we click ‘delete.’
· The best place to uninstall a program is through the Control Panel’s ‘Add/Remove’ Program List.
· Always double check you clicked on the right program box before you choose to remove it. At times, several programs are checked as a default. You wouldn’t want to delete your anti-virus software or anything like that.
· If you’re prompted to delete a ‘shared drive,’ don’t delete it! This was help prevent future error messages, in case you remove a file another software program relies on.
· If the program you want to delete isn’t listed under ‘Add/Remove,’ go to Programs and look for the specific software folder. Most have a folder called ‘Manual Uninstall’ which will help you removed the program.
· If you don’t recognize a program in your ‘Add/Remove’ folder, don’t jump and get rid of it.
It may have a strange name (leaving you fearful of some virus or worm) but chances are, it’s meant to be there. Consult with someone who knows PC’s or browse the Help database.
Though these bits of advice are one way to prevent crashes and error messages, there are plenty of other Windows registry errors that are more of a challenge to fix.
One solution is utilizing registry cleaners to help eliminate headaches. StarReviews reports that Registry Mechanic doesn’t simply delete broken file paths, but repairs what is causing the malfunction. For a limited time only exclusively on the site, they’re even offering 15% off the software product. If you haven’t mastered the ‘Add-Remove Issue’ and are bombarded with countless errors and slow PC speeds, registry errors may currently be the culprit.
One of the primary causes of PC problems and irritating errors is deleting files. For many of us, when we see a program we don’t recall or see a file we deem unimportant, we’re quick to delete and erase it. What many of us don’t realize is: these seemingly harmless actions can result in headaches and errors further down the line.
Windows registry errors are a result of broken file paths, missing extensions and basically any interruption in our operating system. Downloading free trials and new software is a common practice for any computer owner. But, erasing unwanted programs isn’t as easy as the install process. There are plenty of things to keep in mind before we click ‘delete.’
· The best place to uninstall a program is through the Control Panel’s ‘Add/Remove’ Program List.
· Always double check you clicked on the right program box before you choose to remove it. At times, several programs are checked as a default. You wouldn’t want to delete your anti-virus software or anything like that.
· If you’re prompted to delete a ‘shared drive,’ don’t delete it! This was help prevent future error messages, in case you remove a file another software program relies on.
· If the program you want to delete isn’t listed under ‘Add/Remove,’ go to Programs and look for the specific software folder. Most have a folder called ‘Manual Uninstall’ which will help you removed the program.
· If you don’t recognize a program in your ‘Add/Remove’ folder, don’t jump and get rid of it.
It may have a strange name (leaving you fearful of some virus or worm) but chances are, it’s meant to be there. Consult with someone who knows PC’s or browse the Help database.
Though these bits of advice are one way to prevent crashes and error messages, there are plenty of other Windows registry errors that are more of a challenge to fix.
One solution is utilizing registry cleaners to help eliminate headaches. StarReviews reports that Registry Mechanic doesn’t simply delete broken file paths, but repairs what is causing the malfunction. For a limited time only exclusively on the site, they’re even offering 15% off the software product. If you haven’t mastered the ‘Add-Remove Issue’ and are bombarded with countless errors and slow PC speeds, registry errors may currently be the culprit.
The Growing Malware Epidemic
As more computer owners learn about spyware and its damaging effects on our PC’s, there is still a hidden threat that hasn’t made front-page news yet. Sure, some of us have heard of the growing ‘malware problem,’ but in order to prevent such an occurrence from affecting us, it’s vital to know the basics of this nasty, new PC predator.
· Malware is like a computer virus. They’re hard-to-find and at times, difficult to remove.
· It drastically slows down our PC speed-As a result of ad-buildup and tracking devices, your computer may run noticeably slower.
· File sharing is a huge source of harmful malware, especially in instances like illegal music downloading.
· Unintentionally visiting harmful websites masking as legitimate pages can increase your chances of picking up malware.
· Your Internet search habits can be recorded and distributed to unknown sources through the use of malware.
· If you surf to a site and notice you’re consistently being redirected, this is a symptom of malicious malware.
· Malware often tries to steal your personal information. For instance, Voice Over IP Provider Skype just reported a malware stunt whereby users were asked for log-on information on a phony sign-in screen.
In many ways, malware is like the big brother of spyware. It often bundles many unseen threats together, increasing your chances of being attacked. Installing an anti-spyware software program such as STOPzilla is one measure we can take to diminish the risk posed on our PC’s.
StarReviews cites that STOPzilla not only protects you from spyware, it blocks phishing attempts (those browser hijacks commonly associated with malware.)
Spyware Doctor provides comprehensive threat detection through their Spider Scanning Technology, a great feature. Many spyware removal programs offer great deals for you to save: such as 15% off on Spyware Doctor products as exclusively reported by StarReviews. Though research on malware and its effects are in the early stages, protecting your PC now is an action all computer owners should make.
As more computer owners learn about spyware and its damaging effects on our PC’s, there is still a hidden threat that hasn’t made front-page news yet. Sure, some of us have heard of the growing ‘malware problem,’ but in order to prevent such an occurrence from affecting us, it’s vital to know the basics of this nasty, new PC predator.
· Malware is like a computer virus. They’re hard-to-find and at times, difficult to remove.
· It drastically slows down our PC speed-As a result of ad-buildup and tracking devices, your computer may run noticeably slower.
· File sharing is a huge source of harmful malware, especially in instances like illegal music downloading.
· Unintentionally visiting harmful websites masking as legitimate pages can increase your chances of picking up malware.
· Your Internet search habits can be recorded and distributed to unknown sources through the use of malware.
· If you surf to a site and notice you’re consistently being redirected, this is a symptom of malicious malware.
· Malware often tries to steal your personal information. For instance, Voice Over IP Provider Skype just reported a malware stunt whereby users were asked for log-on information on a phony sign-in screen.
In many ways, malware is like the big brother of spyware. It often bundles many unseen threats together, increasing your chances of being attacked. Installing an anti-spyware software program such as STOPzilla is one measure we can take to diminish the risk posed on our PC’s.
StarReviews cites that STOPzilla not only protects you from spyware, it blocks phishing attempts (those browser hijacks commonly associated with malware.)
Spyware Doctor provides comprehensive threat detection through their Spider Scanning Technology, a great feature. Many spyware removal programs offer great deals for you to save: such as 15% off on Spyware Doctor products as exclusively reported by StarReviews. Though research on malware and its effects are in the early stages, protecting your PC now is an action all computer owners should make.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Tips to Prevent Email Spam
Spam isn’t limited to the harmless email chain we’ve all been guilty of sending to friends and family members. Many of us feel that receiving email spam is a lost cause and we’re sentenced to cleaning our inboxes out each morning. Though completely ridding spam from your life may be an unattainable task, there are steps you can take to reduce the number you receive:
· Create a separate email address (free ones like Gmail and Hotmail work great) when registering for an online group or Web-newsletter.
· When posting content on the Web, don’t include your primary email address. Spammers can easily add you to their lists.
· Trick the spam spiders-If you post an email address online, disguise it’s setup, spelling out ‘dot com’ in place of ‘.com
· If you sign up for a list, be sure it’s for that sole site and your information won’t get passed around.
· Read text-only emails or request your mail provider notify you before downloading images or HTML.
· If you receive forwarded chain emails from friends or family, ask them to stop. Even if you trust who is sending you the email, your name will still be visible to whoever continues sending the chain.
· Purchase a spam filter. It’s a small price to pay when you think of all the junk mail you’ll avoid.
StarReviews notes several spam filters that can do the trick and reduce unwanted spam mail. Anti-spam software programs like Spam Shield have unique features such as LashBack, a setting that removes spam and prevents that user from ever forwarding you junk mail again. Spam Monitor also paves the way in spam protection by letting users make black and whitelists to ensure important email reaches their inbox. Preventing spam doesn’t have to cost you your sanity!
Spam isn’t limited to the harmless email chain we’ve all been guilty of sending to friends and family members. Many of us feel that receiving email spam is a lost cause and we’re sentenced to cleaning our inboxes out each morning. Though completely ridding spam from your life may be an unattainable task, there are steps you can take to reduce the number you receive:
· Create a separate email address (free ones like Gmail and Hotmail work great) when registering for an online group or Web-newsletter.
· When posting content on the Web, don’t include your primary email address. Spammers can easily add you to their lists.
· Trick the spam spiders-If you post an email address online, disguise it’s setup, spelling out ‘dot com’ in place of ‘.com
· If you sign up for a list, be sure it’s for that sole site and your information won’t get passed around.
· Read text-only emails or request your mail provider notify you before downloading images or HTML.
· If you receive forwarded chain emails from friends or family, ask them to stop. Even if you trust who is sending you the email, your name will still be visible to whoever continues sending the chain.
· Purchase a spam filter. It’s a small price to pay when you think of all the junk mail you’ll avoid.
StarReviews notes several spam filters that can do the trick and reduce unwanted spam mail. Anti-spam software programs like Spam Shield have unique features such as LashBack, a setting that removes spam and prevents that user from ever forwarding you junk mail again. Spam Monitor also paves the way in spam protection by letting users make black and whitelists to ensure important email reaches their inbox. Preventing spam doesn’t have to cost you your sanity!
Mortgage Refinance Loan Services
If you’re like many homeowners, you dream of better days when your property is paid in full and you don’t have to make those dreaded mortgage payments anymore. But, getting back to reality, many are turning to mortgage refinance services in order to cut their monthly loan payments or to extend their loan periods. Keep these hints in mind before choosing a refinance plan:
• When to Refinance: When you already have a mortgage and wish to apply for a second, be sure the amount you save on interest rates balances fees paid during refinancing. Lending Tree is a great resource when debating the ‘apply/not to apply’ question, as they offer certified lending and allow you to compare multiple offers online.
• Loan Options: Determine whether a fixed rate mortgage or adjustable rate mortgage is in your best interest. Fixed rate mortgage monthly payments tend to remain steady despite market conditions. E-LOAN allows you to compare both loan options and to outweigh the pros vs. cons before you make your decision.
• Cash-out refinances: These allow you to refinance with a loan amount larger than your current mortgage…while you keep the cash difference. The catch? Your home equity must qualify before you can go through with it.
• No Closing Cost Refinances: If you wish to save on up-front fees, this is probably your best choice. Depending on whether or not the prevailing market rate is lower than your existing rate by at least 1.5%, you are sure to reap the benefits.
StarReviews reports that sites such as E-LOAN provide mortgage refinance loans, as well as useful information on home equity, home and auto purchasing, and personal loans. Utilizing features such as ‘The Loan Advisor’ allow you to enter information such as credit ratings, how much you intend on borrowing, estimated property values, and current mortgage balances. They, in turn, will recommend which loan route to take. Remember, saving money is key in your refinance loan search.
If you’re like many homeowners, you dream of better days when your property is paid in full and you don’t have to make those dreaded mortgage payments anymore. But, getting back to reality, many are turning to mortgage refinance services in order to cut their monthly loan payments or to extend their loan periods. Keep these hints in mind before choosing a refinance plan:
• When to Refinance: When you already have a mortgage and wish to apply for a second, be sure the amount you save on interest rates balances fees paid during refinancing. Lending Tree is a great resource when debating the ‘apply/not to apply’ question, as they offer certified lending and allow you to compare multiple offers online.
• Loan Options: Determine whether a fixed rate mortgage or adjustable rate mortgage is in your best interest. Fixed rate mortgage monthly payments tend to remain steady despite market conditions. E-LOAN allows you to compare both loan options and to outweigh the pros vs. cons before you make your decision.
• Cash-out refinances: These allow you to refinance with a loan amount larger than your current mortgage…while you keep the cash difference. The catch? Your home equity must qualify before you can go through with it.
• No Closing Cost Refinances: If you wish to save on up-front fees, this is probably your best choice. Depending on whether or not the prevailing market rate is lower than your existing rate by at least 1.5%, you are sure to reap the benefits.
StarReviews reports that sites such as E-LOAN provide mortgage refinance loans, as well as useful information on home equity, home and auto purchasing, and personal loans. Utilizing features such as ‘The Loan Advisor’ allow you to enter information such as credit ratings, how much you intend on borrowing, estimated property values, and current mortgage balances. They, in turn, will recommend which loan route to take. Remember, saving money is key in your refinance loan search.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Money-Saving Tips
Saving money is a task we could all improve on. After the bills have been paid, many people find themselves rewarding their hard work at the office with weekend getaways, dinners out, new gadgets and countless other forms of entertainment. The truth is, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this! But, saving and spending should be a game of balance, and the these tips will get you off to a great start:
· Set up an automatic weekly account transfer from your checking to savings account. This way, you’ll be forced to save.
· Keep a budget: With the advent of online banking, many of us forgo those Excel sheets that let us see our financial state for what it truly is.
· When you go grocery shopping, go with a list. How many of us have gone in empty-handed and come out with more than we wanted to?
· If you’re tempted to make an impulse purchase, give yourself 24 hours to think it over. Chances are, that LCD TV won’t be as tempting when you’re not staring straight at it.
· Keep a separate savings account for long-term financial goals or rainy days…and don’t touch it.
· Don’t always turn to your credit cards. If you see your cash disappearing and find yourself making frequent ATM-run’s, you’ll definitely pick up on your spending habits.
· Make short-term goals: For instance, set a limit each week of what you can spend and don’t go beyond that figure.
Though these bits of advice will give you a sunnier financial situation, it’s inevitable that we all run into sticky money scenarios at times. StarReviews describes how paycheck advance services are a viable resource when all else fails. If your bills are due and you simply don’t have the funds, sites like PayDay OK can distribute cash into your accounts next-day if you’re approved. Though there are fees involved and you really shouldn’t get used to them, payday loans are a means to prevent late payments and interest on outstanding balances and bills.
Saving money is a task we could all improve on. After the bills have been paid, many people find themselves rewarding their hard work at the office with weekend getaways, dinners out, new gadgets and countless other forms of entertainment. The truth is, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this! But, saving and spending should be a game of balance, and the these tips will get you off to a great start:
· Set up an automatic weekly account transfer from your checking to savings account. This way, you’ll be forced to save.
· Keep a budget: With the advent of online banking, many of us forgo those Excel sheets that let us see our financial state for what it truly is.
· When you go grocery shopping, go with a list. How many of us have gone in empty-handed and come out with more than we wanted to?
· If you’re tempted to make an impulse purchase, give yourself 24 hours to think it over. Chances are, that LCD TV won’t be as tempting when you’re not staring straight at it.
· Keep a separate savings account for long-term financial goals or rainy days…and don’t touch it.
· Don’t always turn to your credit cards. If you see your cash disappearing and find yourself making frequent ATM-run’s, you’ll definitely pick up on your spending habits.
· Make short-term goals: For instance, set a limit each week of what you can spend and don’t go beyond that figure.
Though these bits of advice will give you a sunnier financial situation, it’s inevitable that we all run into sticky money scenarios at times. StarReviews describes how paycheck advance services are a viable resource when all else fails. If your bills are due and you simply don’t have the funds, sites like PayDay OK can distribute cash into your accounts next-day if you’re approved. Though there are fees involved and you really shouldn’t get used to them, payday loans are a means to prevent late payments and interest on outstanding balances and bills.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Resume Writing Advice
If you find yourself struggling to condense your background skills and work history into a two-page Word document, there are plenty of tips to follow to perfect your resume. Resume writing isn’t a black and white process and at times, the best format to follow is one fine-tuned to fit your personality. Remember, on top of highlighting your greatest accomplishments, there are a few commonalities all resumes should have.
• Include your email address in your contact information: Many employers don’t have time to give you a ring and prefer jotting you a quick note via email.
• If you do give out an email address, make sure it’s a professional one. Nothing kills your chances of receiving a potential callback more than an email address like ‘SassyPrincess.'
• Always customize your ‘Objective’ or ‘Jobs Applying For,’ especially if this is the only field you change in the document for each position you apply for.
• Try only to include relevant employment skills. For instance, if you’re applying for a position in sales, it’s probably unnecessary to mention your summer camp counseling job you’ve held for the past three summers.
• If you want to include your experience as a camp counselor, try to weed out the skills you acquired, such as ‘Managed kids’ awards ceremony’ or something to that effect.
• Have a few people proofread your resume and do run a spell check.
• Before you go ahead and include references, be sure to check with those individuals, to be sure they even remember you and your work ethic.
• Always include a cover letter with your resume. Even if your future employer doesn’t read it, it shows you made the extra effort.
• Bullet important information and bold each resume header. When we read, we tend to skim, and so does your dream job’s HR recruiter. Make it easy for them to glance over your important information!
Last but not least, it’s vital to keep your resume to a readable length. No one wants to peruse a novel when they’re wading through a thousand-some resumes. StarReviews cites resume writing services such as Resume Edge pair you with a professional resume writer, who edits your resume to better your chances of snagging an interview. Presenting your experience and skills professionally is key in making your job hunt a success.
If you find yourself struggling to condense your background skills and work history into a two-page Word document, there are plenty of tips to follow to perfect your resume. Resume writing isn’t a black and white process and at times, the best format to follow is one fine-tuned to fit your personality. Remember, on top of highlighting your greatest accomplishments, there are a few commonalities all resumes should have.
• Include your email address in your contact information: Many employers don’t have time to give you a ring and prefer jotting you a quick note via email.
• If you do give out an email address, make sure it’s a professional one. Nothing kills your chances of receiving a potential callback more than an email address like ‘SassyPrincess.'
• Always customize your ‘Objective’ or ‘Jobs Applying For,’ especially if this is the only field you change in the document for each position you apply for.
• Try only to include relevant employment skills. For instance, if you’re applying for a position in sales, it’s probably unnecessary to mention your summer camp counseling job you’ve held for the past three summers.
• If you want to include your experience as a camp counselor, try to weed out the skills you acquired, such as ‘Managed kids’ awards ceremony’ or something to that effect.
• Have a few people proofread your resume and do run a spell check.
• Before you go ahead and include references, be sure to check with those individuals, to be sure they even remember you and your work ethic.
• Always include a cover letter with your resume. Even if your future employer doesn’t read it, it shows you made the extra effort.
• Bullet important information and bold each resume header. When we read, we tend to skim, and so does your dream job’s HR recruiter. Make it easy for them to glance over your important information!
Last but not least, it’s vital to keep your resume to a readable length. No one wants to peruse a novel when they’re wading through a thousand-some resumes. StarReviews cites resume writing services such as Resume Edge pair you with a professional resume writer, who edits your resume to better your chances of snagging an interview. Presenting your experience and skills professionally is key in making your job hunt a success.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Online Banking
Practically any financial transaction can be completed through the use of online banking. The advent of direct deposit made getting your money lightning quick and accurate, and many banks have catered to the needs of their account holders by simplifying online banking features.
Do you remember the days when you had to make a physical trip down to your corner bank just to check the balance of your accounts and to make a deposit? While you may have to take a trek to Wachovia every once in awhile, online banking has drastically reduced the necessity to do so.
StarReviews reports that the popular Bank of America offers their customers added security features, such as encryption and pass codes. Bank of America even implemented a customized image security feature, whereby you choose an image and if you happen to land on a phishing website posing as the authentic site, you will know it before entering personal information.
Online banking through Bank of America and other big names such as Citibank and Wachovia offer similar features through their services. For starters, you can receive online statements instead of those paper ones that always seem to arrive a month after you made the purchases listed on them. You can also utilize online bill payment and add lists of payees to automatically transfer funds to.
Most online banks also allow account holders to transfer funds between checking and savings accounts. Popular online bank ING Direct even allows you to transfer money from their service to other banks, such as Washington Mutual (WaMu) for free. Add this benefit to convenience such as online loan applications and online banking is hard to live without!
Practically any financial transaction can be completed through the use of online banking. The advent of direct deposit made getting your money lightning quick and accurate, and many banks have catered to the needs of their account holders by simplifying online banking features.
Do you remember the days when you had to make a physical trip down to your corner bank just to check the balance of your accounts and to make a deposit? While you may have to take a trek to Wachovia every once in awhile, online banking has drastically reduced the necessity to do so.
StarReviews reports that the popular Bank of America offers their customers added security features, such as encryption and pass codes. Bank of America even implemented a customized image security feature, whereby you choose an image and if you happen to land on a phishing website posing as the authentic site, you will know it before entering personal information.
Online banking through Bank of America and other big names such as Citibank and Wachovia offer similar features through their services. For starters, you can receive online statements instead of those paper ones that always seem to arrive a month after you made the purchases listed on them. You can also utilize online bill payment and add lists of payees to automatically transfer funds to.
Most online banks also allow account holders to transfer funds between checking and savings accounts. Popular online bank ING Direct even allows you to transfer money from their service to other banks, such as Washington Mutual (WaMu) for free. Add this benefit to convenience such as online loan applications and online banking is hard to live without!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Building a Family Tree Online
If you’ve ever pondered the question, ‘Who am I related to?’ you aren’t alone. While communicating by way of the Internet and the cell phone have brought many of us together, there are plenty of individuals who can count their family members on one hand.
Genealogy services have special family tree features that allow inquiring minds to piece their rich ancestral roots together. If you want to build a family tree with ease, keep the following in mind:
· Global connection-Even if your entire family lives in New Jersey, sites like One Great Family complete the puzzle by demonstrating where your family delineated from through their Family Tree Connection feature.
· Census Collection-Don’t settle for a family tree builder solely containing US Census Records. Ancestry is a genealogy service that incorporates UK records, as well as specialized documents, such as military records.
· Ellis Island-Many of our ancestors passed through this infamous Hudson port and sites like Kindred Konnections allow you to scour records taken during our nation’s great migration period.
· Family Tree Platform-Some genealogy services require you to download software before you research and store family tree data, but One Great Family lets you upload your family’s information directly into an intuitive database.
Though filling in every gap in your family tree may be impossible, building a virtual replica of your ancestral background isn’t the dry task it once was. StarReviews found genealogy services hosting innovative research tools, scanable records and simple data uploads, allowing anyone with Internet access to piece together their ancestral story.
If you’ve ever pondered the question, ‘Who am I related to?’ you aren’t alone. While communicating by way of the Internet and the cell phone have brought many of us together, there are plenty of individuals who can count their family members on one hand.
Genealogy services have special family tree features that allow inquiring minds to piece their rich ancestral roots together. If you want to build a family tree with ease, keep the following in mind:
· Global connection-Even if your entire family lives in New Jersey, sites like One Great Family complete the puzzle by demonstrating where your family delineated from through their Family Tree Connection feature.
· Census Collection-Don’t settle for a family tree builder solely containing US Census Records. Ancestry is a genealogy service that incorporates UK records, as well as specialized documents, such as military records.
· Ellis Island-Many of our ancestors passed through this infamous Hudson port and sites like Kindred Konnections allow you to scour records taken during our nation’s great migration period.
· Family Tree Platform-Some genealogy services require you to download software before you research and store family tree data, but One Great Family lets you upload your family’s information directly into an intuitive database.
Though filling in every gap in your family tree may be impossible, building a virtual replica of your ancestral background isn’t the dry task it once was. StarReviews found genealogy services hosting innovative research tools, scanable records and simple data uploads, allowing anyone with Internet access to piece together their ancestral story.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Discount Magazines
When given the opportunity, most all of us leap at the chance to save a few bucks here and there. For those of us subscribing to one or more magazines, magazine subscription services have simplified our payment options and given us access to diverse titles at discount prices. Here’s how to save even more by subscribing online:
· Buy in Bulk-StarReviews reports that Net Magazines lets readers create their own magazine assortment packages and gives them giant savings in return.
· Long-Term Subscriptions-If you’re a diehard US News and World Report fan, why not subscribe for several years all at once? Sites like Magazines Quick give you lower rates if you get your ordering for the next five years or so done at once.
· Large selection-If you opt for a magazine subscription service such as Magazine City, you’ll have access to nearly 2,000 titles, which means that publishers usually cut them a deal, and in turn: you get one too.
· Price Guarantee-There’s no greater way to ensure savings than to purchase magazines from a site like Magazines Quick, who offer low price (or will match a lower rate) guarantee.
Some magazine subscription services offer rates up to 80% off the cover price, which is evident in low yearly subscription costs. Most sites also give customers gift options, so you can subscribe Mom to Better Homes and Gardens and send her a personalized announcement on top of it. The next time you consider a 6 or 12 month subscription to your favorite title, look to the many online magazine subscription sites before you fill out the cardboard insert in your latest Sports Illustrated.
When given the opportunity, most all of us leap at the chance to save a few bucks here and there. For those of us subscribing to one or more magazines, magazine subscription services have simplified our payment options and given us access to diverse titles at discount prices. Here’s how to save even more by subscribing online:
· Buy in Bulk-StarReviews reports that Net Magazines lets readers create their own magazine assortment packages and gives them giant savings in return.
· Long-Term Subscriptions-If you’re a diehard US News and World Report fan, why not subscribe for several years all at once? Sites like Magazines Quick give you lower rates if you get your ordering for the next five years or so done at once.
· Large selection-If you opt for a magazine subscription service such as Magazine City, you’ll have access to nearly 2,000 titles, which means that publishers usually cut them a deal, and in turn: you get one too.
· Price Guarantee-There’s no greater way to ensure savings than to purchase magazines from a site like Magazines Quick, who offer low price (or will match a lower rate) guarantee.
Some magazine subscription services offer rates up to 80% off the cover price, which is evident in low yearly subscription costs. Most sites also give customers gift options, so you can subscribe Mom to Better Homes and Gardens and send her a personalized announcement on top of it. The next time you consider a 6 or 12 month subscription to your favorite title, look to the many online magazine subscription sites before you fill out the cardboard insert in your latest Sports Illustrated.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Best Social Networking Sites
Connecting with long lost friends and meeting some new ones along the way are the greatest advantages of social networking sites. These websites serve numerous purposes and combine a plethora of communications functions. Email, instant messaging, message boards, discussion groups and file sharing capabilities reflect the extent to which social networking sites connect us through the Internet.
When one thinks of social networking, MySpace usually comes to mind. StarReviews reports that MySpace allows users to create profiles, friends lists and post bulletins to their friends or communities with the click of a button. MySpace also boasts professor ratings and college and high school community groups for anyone looking for those with common interests.
Facebook, another popular social networking site, began as a Harvard phenomena and eventually opened its doors to most every college, high school and eventually user imaginable. Facebook popularized ‘the wall,’ where friends can post messages to each other via their profiles.
It is no secret that the social networking craze has opened doors for many business prospects, as well. Many college students can join industry-related groups and meet new contacts through websites like Bebo and MySpace. Politicians have also jumped on the bandwagon, adding a vast online demographic to their campaign trail targeting. Who wouldn’t feel special having Hillary Clinton on their friends’ list? Nielsen/NetRatings found social networking sites grew about 47% last year, so evidently, these sites are breaking ground for more than one reason.
Connecting with long lost friends and meeting some new ones along the way are the greatest advantages of social networking sites. These websites serve numerous purposes and combine a plethora of communications functions. Email, instant messaging, message boards, discussion groups and file sharing capabilities reflect the extent to which social networking sites connect us through the Internet.
When one thinks of social networking, MySpace usually comes to mind. StarReviews reports that MySpace allows users to create profiles, friends lists and post bulletins to their friends or communities with the click of a button. MySpace also boasts professor ratings and college and high school community groups for anyone looking for those with common interests.
Facebook, another popular social networking site, began as a Harvard phenomena and eventually opened its doors to most every college, high school and eventually user imaginable. Facebook popularized ‘the wall,’ where friends can post messages to each other via their profiles.
It is no secret that the social networking craze has opened doors for many business prospects, as well. Many college students can join industry-related groups and meet new contacts through websites like Bebo and MySpace. Politicians have also jumped on the bandwagon, adding a vast online demographic to their campaign trail targeting. Who wouldn’t feel special having Hillary Clinton on their friends’ list? Nielsen/NetRatings found social networking sites grew about 47% last year, so evidently, these sites are breaking ground for more than one reason.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
