Whenever a poll is taken and people say they like or are satisfied with their health insurance, wouldn’t you like to know exactly what they like about it? According to a Rasmussen Reports poll from August 3rd, 80 percent of those surveyed rated their health insurance coverage as good or excellent. That’s up from 70 percent in May. But we still don’t know why they are so satisfied.
Do they like the affordable premiums or the wide spectrum of coverage? Does their health insurance plan allow them to seek alternative therapies? Are they enamored with their health insurance plan because they truly believe there is nothing better out there for them or their family?
Or do people simply respond “yes” to the question “Do you like your current health insurance plan?” because they don’t want to change. This is a common phenomenon. Resistance is an inevitable response to any major change, and health insurance reform certainly fits the bill. According to organizational change experts Folger and Skarlicki, “organizational change can generate skepticism and resistance in employees [you can substitute health-care consumers], making it sometimes difficult or impossible to implement organizational improvements.”
There is a concept called the rationale for resistance, and it includes a list of how people justify their actions to themselves and to others. Let’s assume people are answering “yes” to the health insurance question because they are resisting change. If we apply the rational for resistance to health insurance, people want to stay where they are because:
* Their current health insurance plan meets their needs, and so they do not feel threatened. People who believe their comfort and security are threatened will seek change, not those who feel safe. This does not mean people have carefully thought this out. People who have employer-provided health insurance could lose their jobs and their insurance tomorrow. People could also contract a serious condition that quickly maxes out their coverage. Or others could discover that they are among the 29 percent of people with health insurance who are underinsured. Unfortunately they discover this when their policy is put to the test.
Ashley Greene Scandal Picture And Video
ashley greene scandal pictures, ashley greene, ashley greene scandal, ashley greene pictures, ashley greene scandal photos, ashley greene scandal Video
See Scandal Video Ashley Greene
See ashley greene scandal pictures
Twilight actress Ashley Greene's scandal pictures and photos are said to have been spreading all over the internet like wildfire, t appears to be a common practice now a days, few days back vanessa hudgens leaked photos were exposed in the Internet and now Ashley Greene photos , Ashley Greene scandal Photographs Leaked Online The photos of the Ashley Greene scandal are heating up the Internet.
See Scandal Video Ashley Greene
See ashley greene scandal pictures
Twilight actress Ashley Greene's scandal pictures and photos are said to have been spreading all over the internet like wildfire, t appears to be a common practice now a days, few days back vanessa hudgens leaked photos were exposed in the Internet and now Ashley Greene photos , Ashley Greene scandal Photographs Leaked Online The photos of the Ashley Greene scandal are heating up the Internet.
Utah Health Insurance Exchange Ready to Launch
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Utah Health Insurance Exchange Ready to Launch
Along with back to school shopping, Utahns will be able to shop for health insurance online beginning August 19, 2009. The Utah Health Exchange is a website where Utah residents and business owners can shop, compare, and buy health insurance plans.
Utah’s new health insurance exchange is only the second of its kind in the United States. Massachusetts was the first to institute this type of approach to affordable health insurance.
Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., signed the Utah Health Exchange into law in March. The health insurance model was created by HB188, and it is one of four health reform bills in Utah designed to improve affordability, help the state progress toward cost containment, and make health care more accessible to nearly 300,000 people.
According to the Utah Health Exchange website, the Exchange “will connect consumers to information they need to make an informed choice, and in many cases, allow them to execute that choice electronically.”
The three main functions of the Utah Health Exchange are to provide consumers with:
* Helpful information about their health care and financing of that care
* A convenient way to compare and choose a health insurance policy that meets their families’ needs
* A standardized electronic application and enrollment process
For employers, the HB188 provides them with an option of depositing money into their workers’ health savings accounts rather than just paying part of their premium. This allows consumers to purchase any health insurance plan that they want.
On August 19, the Utah Health Exchange will begin enrolling up to 150 small employer groups (those who employ 2 to 50 workers) who plan to offer this new option to their workers. According to the Exchange’s website, this new model offers relief to employers who will no longer need to bear the full burden of running a health insurance plan for their workers.
Woodforest National Bank
Branches in Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, San Antonio, and East Texas. Offers online banking, information on personal and commercial banking services, Woodforest National Bank serves customers across Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, Woodforest National Bank is a The Woodlands, Texas-based bank, founded in 1980, Celebrating 27 years of banking success, Woodforest National Bank was the first bank in Texas to launch a 24-hour/7-days-a-week live banking concept , CyrusOne shared that it has recently landed Woodforest National Bank in its newly opened Austin datacenter, Read the Woodforest National Bank employment profile on CareerBuilder.
The Skinny Jeans Workout
See Video The Skinny Jeans Workout
The Skinny Jeans Workout. By: Liz Neporent. You don't have to be Kate Moss to look good in a pair of skinny jeans, “I designed The Skinny Jeans Workout because you all have goals in mind – you want to feel good, you want to look good, Firm your butt and thighs and flatten your belly! Even your tightest pair of jeans won't stand a chance against this fat-blasting lower-body , Well here is my Skinny Jeans Workout!!! There is nothing sexier than a woman in her skinny jeans??, Look great in your skinny jeans with these targeted butt, hip and thigh exercises. Information on exercise, Skinny Jeans Workout DVD Wanting to reach a wider audience than she does working as personal trainer
The Skinny Jeans Workout. By: Liz Neporent. You don't have to be Kate Moss to look good in a pair of skinny jeans, “I designed The Skinny Jeans Workout because you all have goals in mind – you want to feel good, you want to look good, Firm your butt and thighs and flatten your belly! Even your tightest pair of jeans won't stand a chance against this fat-blasting lower-body , Well here is my Skinny Jeans Workout!!! There is nothing sexier than a woman in her skinny jeans??, Look great in your skinny jeans with these targeted butt, hip and thigh exercises. Information on exercise, Skinny Jeans Workout DVD Wanting to reach a wider audience than she does working as personal trainer
See Heidi Montag Bikini At cover Playboy magazine
Monday, August 10, 2009
Do you want to see Heidi Montag in her bikini ? Please be patient. Heidi Montag or Heidi Pratt is featured in the September issue of Playboy magazine and she has leaked the cover to Perez Hilton. She took off her clothes for a new photo shoot for Playboy. Montag wears a white bikini and is splattered with mud in the cover picture. The photos inside have not been revealed.
As I heard, Heidi’s husband, Spencer Pratt has approved these pictures as well, and he reported helped her seal the Playboy contract, which could earn her more than $500,000.
Heidi said there wouldn’t be full frontal nudity but it would be tasteful. She has been hitting the highly critical talk show circuit and has been coy about whether she has or hasn’t done a photo shoot for it. She isn’t fooling anyone with her attempt at secrecy. In fact, there is no doubt that the photo session has already taken place.
Vantage Credit Union Warns Of Text Phishing Scam
The message that the Vantage Credit Union published on its website.
Identity theft, phishing scams, telephone scams, lottery scams and internet scams are growing concerns. Please know that Vantage Credit Union will never solicit your credit union account number(s), credit or debit card number(s), Personal Identification Number (PIN), Social Security Number, etc., via phone or e-mail.
If you receive a phone call or e-mail requesting this information, please do not give it out. Rather, call Vantage Credit Union to report the incident and ensure your account remains safe.
A new text message phishing scam targeting members and non-members was identified this morning. The message points people to a false website. Vantage is currently working to shut down the false site. If you receive this message on your cell phone, DO NOT RESPOND. Instead, delete the message immediately. If you responded to the message, contact Vantage Credit Union immediately at 314.298.0055 or 800.522.6009. Thank you.
Maroma Resort & Spa Hotel
Sunday, August 9, 2009
To get to the hotel we used Grayline Transfer, it was a collective shuttle included with our Orbitz package, Maroma Resort & Spa is a luxury boutique hotel in Solidaridad, Riviera Maya, Mexico. Maroma Resort & Spa offers luxury accommodations and 5 star service in Solidaridad.
Reserve Maroma Resort & Spa at TabletHotels, The principal variances from the second quarter of 2008 included the results from Hotel Cipriani, Venice (down $2.8 million), Reid's Palace, Madeira (down $1.3 million), Grand Hotel Europe, St Petersburg (down $7.2 million), Only in August you may try Maroma Margarita, the signature drink of Maroma Resort & Spa in Mexico, Hotel Maroma Resort in Mexico is typically carribean, but has something very special comparing to other hotels in the area. Swimming pool.
HEIDI MONTAG PLAYBOY COVER PICTURES SHE IS NUDE
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Heidi Montag does a Playboy photospread for 2009, confirms the magazine, HEIDI MONTAG PLAYBOY COVER PICTURES here>> Reality star Heidi Montag or Heidi Pratt, Reality star Heidi Montag aka Heidi Pratt took off her clothes for a new photo shoot for Playboy Magazine, Heidi Montag Playboy Magazine Photos Leaked on Net A beautiful The Hills star Heidi Montag will appear on popular men's Playboy Magazine for upcoming month,
Hotel Safety Tips For Travelers
Hotel Safety Tips For Travelers
Before your trip
* Copy all credit cards, airline tickets, passports and important documents, front and back.
* Jewelry and luggage and all valuables should be photographed prior to trip.
What to look for in a safe hotel:
* If possible, select a hotel with has installed modern electronic guest room locks. The majority of these locks automatically change the lock combination with every new guest so there is little chance of someone having a duplicate key to your room. If you lose or misplace your key, ask to have your room re-keyed immediately.
* Is each room equipped with a dead bolt lock and a peephole?
* Fire sprinklers in hotel rooms, hallways, and meeting rooms likewise for smoke detectors. If each room is not equipped with a smoke detector, are sprinklers systems installed in the hallways or is your only hope the local fire department.
* Each room telephone should allow outside dialing.
* Guest phones located in hallways and lobbies should not allow direct room dialing. Anyone using the phone should have to call the operator and request a room by guest name, not room number.
* Secure locks on windows and adjoining doors.
* Well-lit interior hallways, parking structures and grounds.
* Hotels that have limited access to hotel structure, generally the more limited the access; the less likely a trespasser will enter.
* The parking garage should not have elevators taking passengers to guest floors. It should only go to the lobby.
* Does hotel provide personnel trained in guest security and available for escorts to rooms and auto when requested?
* Is the hotel located in a high crime rate area, especially when traveling overseas? Check with the US Embassy's Resident Security Officer in that country and they can alert you of areas to stay away from.
When arriving and checking into your hotel room
* If you arrive in a bus or cab, stay with your luggage until it is brought into the hotel lobby.
* Keep a close eye on your luggage, purse, etc when checking in.
* If the lobby is busy, thieves will often take advantage of the distractions to take your things with them.
* If you are staying in an older room which still has the older guest door locks with metal key, one of first signs of how a hotel treats the issue of security is to observe how hotel room keys are controlled. If it is checkout time and a pile of metal room keys are laying on the front desk, the hotel is not too concerned about your security. Anyone can take and key laying on the desk. This is not a big concern if the hotel is using electronic key cards but is if the metal keys have the room number embossed on it. You will find this more prevalent overseas.
* Ask the front desk personnel not to announce your room number. Rather, tell them to write it down or point to it. If the desk clerk should do this, explain the problem and asked to be given another room. You never know who is listening. Your room number is a matter of security, and the fewer people that know your whereabouts, the better. There’s no need to announce it to the entire hotel lobby.
* When registering, sign only your last name and first initial. Don’t use titles or degrees. Makes it harder to determine gender, marital status or profession. If you are a women traveling alone, you might consider booking your room as Mr. and Mrs.
* Don't leave your credit card lying on the check-in counter while you complete your registration. Also make sure the credit card that is handed back to you by the hotel clerk is really yours.
* Instruct the desk not to give out your name and room number and ask for them to call you if someone inquires about you.
* Immediately upon check in, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to come back to. If you get lost, you have the address and phone number handy. There is nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the "Marriott" and they ask which one?? That could be one very expensive cab ride. Or if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook, and you’re on your way back to the hotel.
Room Selection
* Maximize safety and security. Select a room located between the 4 and 6th floor Avoid rooms above the sixth floor--the maximum height that fire-department ladders can reach. For some fire departments overseas, and within the United States, they do not have equipment to reach hotel floors above the 6th floor
* Whenever possible do not except a hotel on the ground floor that has doors and windows that open to the outside. Hotels with interior hallways tend to be generally safer. For security in motels, avoid ground floor rooms off the parking lot. If you can't get a room on a higher level, take one facing the interior courtyard.
* Guestrooms that are as close to the elevators as possible are safest, but tend to be noisier. You might also want to find out if the room is located next to a vending area, those also tend to be noisy.
Elevator safety
* Women should be accompanied to hotel room and room should be checked
* Observe all passengers in elevators
* It is wise to board last and select floor buttons last
* If possible position yourself near the elevator control panel and if attacked, push as many floor buttons as possible. Keep your back to the sidewall.
* If someone suspicious boards an elevator, exit as soon as possible.
When checking into your hotel room
After checking into a room, examine the following:
* Examine the guest room lock and be sure it is functioning properly.
* The closets and bathrooms are checked to make sure no one is hiding.
* All windows and outside doors are checked to insure they lock and operate properly
* The lock on the adjoining door is checked to insure it is locked and works
* The telephone is checked and you know how to make a outside call
* Look for information in room about fire safety and read to become familiar with nearest fire exit / stairway. Locate nearest fire exit. Find one at each end of the hallway. How many doors away? Does the door open easily? Are the exit signs illuminated? If the lights are out, be helpful and contact the front desk to let them know. Is the stairwell clear of debris? Make a note on the back of the business card that you place by your bed noting the number of doors away to the emergency exit, in each direction, and the location of the fire extinguisher and fire pull box.
* When you enter your hotel room, make sure the door closes securely and that the deadbolt works. Keep the deadbolt and safety bar on at all time. It cannot be stressed enough that you should never prop your hotel room door open. Anyone could walk in.
* Place your room key in the same place every time, preferably close to the bed.
* If you have to leave the room in a hurry due to an emergency, you won't have time to be searching for your key. Also, you'll need the key to get back into the room.
* When inside a hotel room, for whatever length of time always use the deadbolt. If the room does not a dead bolt or heavy-duty security clasp but has a chain, twist it to take up the slack before latching it.
* The door to your room must never be opened by anyone unless the guest is absolutely known.
* If you receive a phone call to your room and the person states they are with the hotel and need to come to your room and repair something, use caution. Always get the employees name and call the front desk to verify that it was a legitimate employee who called you and they do in fact need to come to your room. Some criminals are known to where hotel uniforms or pose a plainclothes security. The best bet is to be your own security guard. No matter how effective hotel security is, it can't think of everything.
* If you want to test the hotel, call the switchboard from a house phone and ask for yourself. Tell the operator you are not sure of the room number. If the answer is, "She's in room 203," this is not a good sign. The correct answer is, "I'll connect you." Good security requires that the hotel switchboard not give out room numbers and the best hotels strictly adhere to this policy.
* When inside your room, use a door swedge when sleeping or in the shower. This may seem a little overkill but overseas, hotel burglars have been know to frequent hotels that use standard metal room keys that are easy to obtain. Unfortunately many hotels do not change the locks to the doors when the keys are lost, the criminals know that many of the hotel rooms might contain valuables of the presumed wealthy western traveler from the United States. Some of the crooks are very bold. They have been know to listen to the room door to see if you are in the shower. If you are they enter your room with the spare key (because no secondary door lock) and removes your wallet, purse, or laptop. If someone else is in the room the crook is in a suit and says “sorry, the front desk gave me this key.” By employing a door swedge will keep out these sly crooks and will could an alarm if attempted. See our products page for one of these devices.
* Never leave your key in the lock inside your room (some hotels in third world countries still have these). they can be pushed out from the other side with a pin. The crooks simply slides a piece of newspaper under the door, the key drops on the paper and the crook slide the paper and the key back under the door.
Place that all-important flashlight next to your bed.
* It's much too dangerous to be stumbling around in a dark hotel in the middle of the night if the electricity goes out. Also, if you have to evacuate in the event of a fire, the flashlight will help guide you down a smoke filled hallway.
* Remember, if there is a fire or other such emergency, you are pretty much on your own to evacuate yourself, especially at night. What you learn in the few minutes it takes you to orient yourself to your room and the surrounding areas could mean the difference between life and death
* If you loose your key, ask for a new room or have the lock or electronic key card changed.
When you leave your hotel room for the day or evening
* When you leave your room, always leave the television on.
* Ask maid to make your room up during breakfast. Place “Do not disturb" sign on door. If you want maid service, call to housekeeping and tell them to make up the room but leave the sign on the door. The sign is valuable when you aren't in the room because it gives the impression you are still inside.
* At night, leave a light on and drapes should be partially opened as if someone was inside.
* Always use the security vault in hotel. The in-room safe is adequate sometimes. The ones least recommended are those that take standard keys (usually overseas). Preferred are those that have an electronic combination lock. The front desk deposit boxes are usually safer but more inconvenient.
* Don't display you guest room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crook have known to walk by casually, observe the number in the key if stamped on it and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store and using your room number.
What to take with you when leaving your hotel room
* Take a minimum of cash, and only enough travelers checks for that outing.
* Carry “bait money” for potential thieves.
* Wear minimum jewelry, especially women. Women, wear only a simple wedding band in lieu of a diamond ring. Remember in some foreign cities and even some area within the United States, a diamond ring might be worth what a criminal might earn in a year. Remove the temptation!
* Keep credit cards and t/checks in separate pockets.
Laptop safety while staying in a in hotel room
* Laptop computers or other expensive items can be easily stolen from hotel rooms. The only way to protect them is to leave them at the front desk in a safety deposit box or to secure them in your room. If you want to take the easy way by leaving them in your room (most of us do) use a security cable to a fixed object in the hotel. I always attach my laptop to the pipe under the sink in the bathroom when my laptop is left in the hotel room for several hours. Think about it. Would you leave your wallet or purse sitting on the table in the middle of your room? Usually not, but you would leave a $3,500 laptop sitting there! Which is more valuable?
Hotel parking lots
* If you valet park your car at the hotel, and valet driver puts a card on your dash, make sure it does not have your room number, always keep it private.
* Always walk in numbers at night, especially in hotel parking lots
* Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. Crooks know that rental cars contain items of value.
* Park as close to an exit as possible.
* When approaching a car, always have keys in hand.
* Women should keep purses close to their bodies not loose around or dandling off a shoulder. Keep it in front of you with a hand on top of it. Do not feel awkward to ask for an escort to your car. It is recommended to use the valet service at night.
Before your trip
* Copy all credit cards, airline tickets, passports and important documents, front and back.
* Jewelry and luggage and all valuables should be photographed prior to trip.
What to look for in a safe hotel:
* If possible, select a hotel with has installed modern electronic guest room locks. The majority of these locks automatically change the lock combination with every new guest so there is little chance of someone having a duplicate key to your room. If you lose or misplace your key, ask to have your room re-keyed immediately.
* Is each room equipped with a dead bolt lock and a peephole?
* Fire sprinklers in hotel rooms, hallways, and meeting rooms likewise for smoke detectors. If each room is not equipped with a smoke detector, are sprinklers systems installed in the hallways or is your only hope the local fire department.
* Each room telephone should allow outside dialing.
* Guest phones located in hallways and lobbies should not allow direct room dialing. Anyone using the phone should have to call the operator and request a room by guest name, not room number.
* Secure locks on windows and adjoining doors.
* Well-lit interior hallways, parking structures and grounds.
* Hotels that have limited access to hotel structure, generally the more limited the access; the less likely a trespasser will enter.
* The parking garage should not have elevators taking passengers to guest floors. It should only go to the lobby.
* Does hotel provide personnel trained in guest security and available for escorts to rooms and auto when requested?
* Is the hotel located in a high crime rate area, especially when traveling overseas? Check with the US Embassy's Resident Security Officer in that country and they can alert you of areas to stay away from.
When arriving and checking into your hotel room
* If you arrive in a bus or cab, stay with your luggage until it is brought into the hotel lobby.
* Keep a close eye on your luggage, purse, etc when checking in.
* If the lobby is busy, thieves will often take advantage of the distractions to take your things with them.
* If you are staying in an older room which still has the older guest door locks with metal key, one of first signs of how a hotel treats the issue of security is to observe how hotel room keys are controlled. If it is checkout time and a pile of metal room keys are laying on the front desk, the hotel is not too concerned about your security. Anyone can take and key laying on the desk. This is not a big concern if the hotel is using electronic key cards but is if the metal keys have the room number embossed on it. You will find this more prevalent overseas.
* Ask the front desk personnel not to announce your room number. Rather, tell them to write it down or point to it. If the desk clerk should do this, explain the problem and asked to be given another room. You never know who is listening. Your room number is a matter of security, and the fewer people that know your whereabouts, the better. There’s no need to announce it to the entire hotel lobby.
* When registering, sign only your last name and first initial. Don’t use titles or degrees. Makes it harder to determine gender, marital status or profession. If you are a women traveling alone, you might consider booking your room as Mr. and Mrs.
* Don't leave your credit card lying on the check-in counter while you complete your registration. Also make sure the credit card that is handed back to you by the hotel clerk is really yours.
* Instruct the desk not to give out your name and room number and ask for them to call you if someone inquires about you.
* Immediately upon check in, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to come back to. If you get lost, you have the address and phone number handy. There is nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the "Marriott" and they ask which one?? That could be one very expensive cab ride. Or if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook, and you’re on your way back to the hotel.
Room Selection
* Maximize safety and security. Select a room located between the 4 and 6th floor Avoid rooms above the sixth floor--the maximum height that fire-department ladders can reach. For some fire departments overseas, and within the United States, they do not have equipment to reach hotel floors above the 6th floor
* Whenever possible do not except a hotel on the ground floor that has doors and windows that open to the outside. Hotels with interior hallways tend to be generally safer. For security in motels, avoid ground floor rooms off the parking lot. If you can't get a room on a higher level, take one facing the interior courtyard.
* Guestrooms that are as close to the elevators as possible are safest, but tend to be noisier. You might also want to find out if the room is located next to a vending area, those also tend to be noisy.
Elevator safety
* Women should be accompanied to hotel room and room should be checked
* Observe all passengers in elevators
* It is wise to board last and select floor buttons last
* If possible position yourself near the elevator control panel and if attacked, push as many floor buttons as possible. Keep your back to the sidewall.
* If someone suspicious boards an elevator, exit as soon as possible.
When checking into your hotel room
After checking into a room, examine the following:
* Examine the guest room lock and be sure it is functioning properly.
* The closets and bathrooms are checked to make sure no one is hiding.
* All windows and outside doors are checked to insure they lock and operate properly
* The lock on the adjoining door is checked to insure it is locked and works
* The telephone is checked and you know how to make a outside call
* Look for information in room about fire safety and read to become familiar with nearest fire exit / stairway. Locate nearest fire exit. Find one at each end of the hallway. How many doors away? Does the door open easily? Are the exit signs illuminated? If the lights are out, be helpful and contact the front desk to let them know. Is the stairwell clear of debris? Make a note on the back of the business card that you place by your bed noting the number of doors away to the emergency exit, in each direction, and the location of the fire extinguisher and fire pull box.
* When you enter your hotel room, make sure the door closes securely and that the deadbolt works. Keep the deadbolt and safety bar on at all time. It cannot be stressed enough that you should never prop your hotel room door open. Anyone could walk in.
* Place your room key in the same place every time, preferably close to the bed.
* If you have to leave the room in a hurry due to an emergency, you won't have time to be searching for your key. Also, you'll need the key to get back into the room.
* When inside a hotel room, for whatever length of time always use the deadbolt. If the room does not a dead bolt or heavy-duty security clasp but has a chain, twist it to take up the slack before latching it.
* The door to your room must never be opened by anyone unless the guest is absolutely known.
* If you receive a phone call to your room and the person states they are with the hotel and need to come to your room and repair something, use caution. Always get the employees name and call the front desk to verify that it was a legitimate employee who called you and they do in fact need to come to your room. Some criminals are known to where hotel uniforms or pose a plainclothes security. The best bet is to be your own security guard. No matter how effective hotel security is, it can't think of everything.
* If you want to test the hotel, call the switchboard from a house phone and ask for yourself. Tell the operator you are not sure of the room number. If the answer is, "She's in room 203," this is not a good sign. The correct answer is, "I'll connect you." Good security requires that the hotel switchboard not give out room numbers and the best hotels strictly adhere to this policy.
* When inside your room, use a door swedge when sleeping or in the shower. This may seem a little overkill but overseas, hotel burglars have been know to frequent hotels that use standard metal room keys that are easy to obtain. Unfortunately many hotels do not change the locks to the doors when the keys are lost, the criminals know that many of the hotel rooms might contain valuables of the presumed wealthy western traveler from the United States. Some of the crooks are very bold. They have been know to listen to the room door to see if you are in the shower. If you are they enter your room with the spare key (because no secondary door lock) and removes your wallet, purse, or laptop. If someone else is in the room the crook is in a suit and says “sorry, the front desk gave me this key.” By employing a door swedge will keep out these sly crooks and will could an alarm if attempted. See our products page for one of these devices.
* Never leave your key in the lock inside your room (some hotels in third world countries still have these). they can be pushed out from the other side with a pin. The crooks simply slides a piece of newspaper under the door, the key drops on the paper and the crook slide the paper and the key back under the door.
Place that all-important flashlight next to your bed.
* It's much too dangerous to be stumbling around in a dark hotel in the middle of the night if the electricity goes out. Also, if you have to evacuate in the event of a fire, the flashlight will help guide you down a smoke filled hallway.
* Remember, if there is a fire or other such emergency, you are pretty much on your own to evacuate yourself, especially at night. What you learn in the few minutes it takes you to orient yourself to your room and the surrounding areas could mean the difference between life and death
* If you loose your key, ask for a new room or have the lock or electronic key card changed.
When you leave your hotel room for the day or evening
* When you leave your room, always leave the television on.
* Ask maid to make your room up during breakfast. Place “Do not disturb" sign on door. If you want maid service, call to housekeeping and tell them to make up the room but leave the sign on the door. The sign is valuable when you aren't in the room because it gives the impression you are still inside.
* At night, leave a light on and drapes should be partially opened as if someone was inside.
* Always use the security vault in hotel. The in-room safe is adequate sometimes. The ones least recommended are those that take standard keys (usually overseas). Preferred are those that have an electronic combination lock. The front desk deposit boxes are usually safer but more inconvenient.
* Don't display you guest room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crook have known to walk by casually, observe the number in the key if stamped on it and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store and using your room number.
What to take with you when leaving your hotel room
* Take a minimum of cash, and only enough travelers checks for that outing.
* Carry “bait money” for potential thieves.
* Wear minimum jewelry, especially women. Women, wear only a simple wedding band in lieu of a diamond ring. Remember in some foreign cities and even some area within the United States, a diamond ring might be worth what a criminal might earn in a year. Remove the temptation!
* Keep credit cards and t/checks in separate pockets.
Laptop safety while staying in a in hotel room
* Laptop computers or other expensive items can be easily stolen from hotel rooms. The only way to protect them is to leave them at the front desk in a safety deposit box or to secure them in your room. If you want to take the easy way by leaving them in your room (most of us do) use a security cable to a fixed object in the hotel. I always attach my laptop to the pipe under the sink in the bathroom when my laptop is left in the hotel room for several hours. Think about it. Would you leave your wallet or purse sitting on the table in the middle of your room? Usually not, but you would leave a $3,500 laptop sitting there! Which is more valuable?
Hotel parking lots
* If you valet park your car at the hotel, and valet driver puts a card on your dash, make sure it does not have your room number, always keep it private.
* Always walk in numbers at night, especially in hotel parking lots
* Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. Crooks know that rental cars contain items of value.
* Park as close to an exit as possible.
* When approaching a car, always have keys in hand.
* Women should keep purses close to their bodies not loose around or dandling off a shoulder. Keep it in front of you with a hand on top of it. Do not feel awkward to ask for an escort to your car. It is recommended to use the valet service at night.
Hotel Safety Tips For Travelers
Hotel Safety Tips For Travelers
Before your trip
* Copy all credit cards, airline tickets, passports and important documents, front and back.
* Jewelry and luggage and all valuables should be photographed prior to trip.
What to look for in a safe hotel:
* If possible, select a hotel with has installed modern electronic guest room locks. The majority of these locks automatically change the lock combination with every new guest so there is little chance of someone having a duplicate key to your room. If you lose or misplace your key, ask to have your room re-keyed immediately.
* Is each room equipped with a dead bolt lock and a peephole?
* Fire sprinklers in hotel rooms, hallways, and meeting rooms likewise for smoke detectors. If each room is not equipped with a smoke detector, are sprinklers systems installed in the hallways or is your only hope the local fire department.
* Each room telephone should allow outside dialing.
* Guest phones located in hallways and lobbies should not allow direct room dialing. Anyone using the phone should have to call the operator and request a room by guest name, not room number.
* Secure locks on windows and adjoining doors.
* Well-lit interior hallways, parking structures and grounds.
* Hotels that have limited access to hotel structure, generally the more limited the access; the less likely a trespasser will enter.
* The parking garage should not have elevators taking passengers to guest floors. It should only go to the lobby.
* Does hotel provide personnel trained in guest security and available for escorts to rooms and auto when requested?
* Is the hotel located in a high crime rate area, especially when traveling overseas? Check with the US Embassy's Resident Security Officer in that country and they can alert you of areas to stay away from.
When arriving and checking into your hotel room
* If you arrive in a bus or cab, stay with your luggage until it is brought into the hotel lobby.
* Keep a close eye on your luggage, purse, etc when checking in.
* If the lobby is busy, thieves will often take advantage of the distractions to take your things with them.
* If you are staying in an older room which still has the older guest door locks with metal key, one of first signs of how a hotel treats the issue of security is to observe how hotel room keys are controlled. If it is checkout time and a pile of metal room keys are laying on the front desk, the hotel is not too concerned about your security. Anyone can take and key laying on the desk. This is not a big concern if the hotel is using electronic key cards but is if the metal keys have the room number embossed on it. You will find this more prevalent overseas.
* Ask the front desk personnel not to announce your room number. Rather, tell them to write it down or point to it. If the desk clerk should do this, explain the problem and asked to be given another room. You never know who is listening. Your room number is a matter of security, and the fewer people that know your whereabouts, the better. There’s no need to announce it to the entire hotel lobby.
* When registering, sign only your last name and first initial. Don’t use titles or degrees. Makes it harder to determine gender, marital status or profession. If you are a women traveling alone, you might consider booking your room as Mr. and Mrs.
* Don't leave your credit card lying on the check-in counter while you complete your registration. Also make sure the credit card that is handed back to you by the hotel clerk is really yours.
* Instruct the desk not to give out your name and room number and ask for them to call you if someone inquires about you.
* Immediately upon check in, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to come back to. If you get lost, you have the address and phone number handy. There is nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the "Marriott" and they ask which one?? That could be one very expensive cab ride. Or if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook, and you’re on your way back to the hotel.
Room Selection
* Maximize safety and security. Select a room located between the 4 and 6th floor Avoid rooms above the sixth floor--the maximum height that fire-department ladders can reach. For some fire departments overseas, and within the United States, they do not have equipment to reach hotel floors above the 6th floor
* Whenever possible do not except a hotel on the ground floor that has doors and windows that open to the outside. Hotels with interior hallways tend to be generally safer. For security in motels, avoid ground floor rooms off the parking lot. If you can't get a room on a higher level, take one facing the interior courtyard.
* Guestrooms that are as close to the elevators as possible are safest, but tend to be noisier. You might also want to find out if the room is located next to a vending area, those also tend to be noisy.
Elevator safety
* Women should be accompanied to hotel room and room should be checked
* Observe all passengers in elevators
* It is wise to board last and select floor buttons last
* If possible position yourself near the elevator control panel and if attacked, push as many floor buttons as possible. Keep your back to the sidewall.
* If someone suspicious boards an elevator, exit as soon as possible.
When checking into your hotel room
After checking into a room, examine the following:
* Examine the guest room lock and be sure it is functioning properly.
* The closets and bathrooms are checked to make sure no one is hiding.
* All windows and outside doors are checked to insure they lock and operate properly
* The lock on the adjoining door is checked to insure it is locked and works
* The telephone is checked and you know how to make a outside call
* Look for information in room about fire safety and read to become familiar with nearest fire exit / stairway. Locate nearest fire exit. Find one at each end of the hallway. How many doors away? Does the door open easily? Are the exit signs illuminated? If the lights are out, be helpful and contact the front desk to let them know. Is the stairwell clear of debris? Make a note on the back of the business card that you place by your bed noting the number of doors away to the emergency exit, in each direction, and the location of the fire extinguisher and fire pull box.
* When you enter your hotel room, make sure the door closes securely and that the deadbolt works. Keep the deadbolt and safety bar on at all time. It cannot be stressed enough that you should never prop your hotel room door open. Anyone could walk in.
* Place your room key in the same place every time, preferably close to the bed.
* If you have to leave the room in a hurry due to an emergency, you won't have time to be searching for your key. Also, you'll need the key to get back into the room.
* When inside a hotel room, for whatever length of time always use the deadbolt. If the room does not a dead bolt or heavy-duty security clasp but has a chain, twist it to take up the slack before latching it.
* The door to your room must never be opened by anyone unless the guest is absolutely known.
* If you receive a phone call to your room and the person states they are with the hotel and need to come to your room and repair something, use caution. Always get the employees name and call the front desk to verify that it was a legitimate employee who called you and they do in fact need to come to your room. Some criminals are known to where hotel uniforms or pose a plainclothes security. The best bet is to be your own security guard. No matter how effective hotel security is, it can't think of everything.
* If you want to test the hotel, call the switchboard from a house phone and ask for yourself. Tell the operator you are not sure of the room number. If the answer is, "She's in room 203," this is not a good sign. The correct answer is, "I'll connect you." Good security requires that the hotel switchboard not give out room numbers and the best hotels strictly adhere to this policy.
* When inside your room, use a door swedge when sleeping or in the shower. This may seem a little overkill but overseas, hotel burglars have been know to frequent hotels that use standard metal room keys that are easy to obtain. Unfortunately many hotels do not change the locks to the doors when the keys are lost, the criminals know that many of the hotel rooms might contain valuables of the presumed wealthy western traveler from the United States. Some of the crooks are very bold. They have been know to listen to the room door to see if you are in the shower. If you are they enter your room with the spare key (because no secondary door lock) and removes your wallet, purse, or laptop. If someone else is in the room the crook is in a suit and says “sorry, the front desk gave me this key.” By employing a door swedge will keep out these sly crooks and will could an alarm if attempted. See our products page for one of these devices.
* Never leave your key in the lock inside your room (some hotels in third world countries still have these). they can be pushed out from the other side with a pin. The crooks simply slides a piece of newspaper under the door, the key drops on the paper and the crook slide the paper and the key back under the door.
Place that all-important flashlight next to your bed.
* It's much too dangerous to be stumbling around in a dark hotel in the middle of the night if the electricity goes out. Also, if you have to evacuate in the event of a fire, the flashlight will help guide you down a smoke filled hallway.
* Remember, if there is a fire or other such emergency, you are pretty much on your own to evacuate yourself, especially at night. What you learn in the few minutes it takes you to orient yourself to your room and the surrounding areas could mean the difference between life and death
* If you loose your key, ask for a new room or have the lock or electronic key card changed.
When you leave your hotel room for the day or evening
* When you leave your room, always leave the television on.
* Ask maid to make your room up during breakfast. Place “Do not disturb" sign on door. If you want maid service, call to housekeeping and tell them to make up the room but leave the sign on the door. The sign is valuable when you aren't in the room because it gives the impression you are still inside.
* At night, leave a light on and drapes should be partially opened as if someone was inside.
* Always use the security vault in hotel. The in-room safe is adequate sometimes. The ones least recommended are those that take standard keys (usually overseas). Preferred are those that have an electronic combination lock. The front desk deposit boxes are usually safer but more inconvenient.
* Don't display you guest room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crook have known to walk by casually, observe the number in the key if stamped on it and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store and using your room number.
What to take with you when leaving your hotel room
* Take a minimum of cash, and only enough travelers checks for that outing.
* Carry “bait money” for potential thieves.
* Wear minimum jewelry, especially women. Women, wear only a simple wedding band in lieu of a diamond ring. Remember in some foreign cities and even some area within the United States, a diamond ring might be worth what a criminal might earn in a year. Remove the temptation!
* Keep credit cards and t/checks in separate pockets.
Laptop safety while staying in a in hotel room
* Laptop computers or other expensive items can be easily stolen from hotel rooms. The only way to protect them is to leave them at the front desk in a safety deposit box or to secure them in your room. If you want to take the easy way by leaving them in your room (most of us do) use a security cable to a fixed object in the hotel. I always attach my laptop to the pipe under the sink in the bathroom when my laptop is left in the hotel room for several hours. Think about it. Would you leave your wallet or purse sitting on the table in the middle of your room? Usually not, but you would leave a $3,500 laptop sitting there! Which is more valuable?
Hotel parking lots
* If you valet park your car at the hotel, and valet driver puts a card on your dash, make sure it does not have your room number, always keep it private.
* Always walk in numbers at night, especially in hotel parking lots
* Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. Crooks know that rental cars contain items of value.
* Park as close to an exit as possible.
* When approaching a car, always have keys in hand.
* Women should keep purses close to their bodies not loose around or dandling off a shoulder. Keep it in front of you with a hand on top of it. Do not feel awkward to ask for an escort to your car. It is recommended to use the valet service at night.
Before your trip
* Copy all credit cards, airline tickets, passports and important documents, front and back.
* Jewelry and luggage and all valuables should be photographed prior to trip.
What to look for in a safe hotel:
* If possible, select a hotel with has installed modern electronic guest room locks. The majority of these locks automatically change the lock combination with every new guest so there is little chance of someone having a duplicate key to your room. If you lose or misplace your key, ask to have your room re-keyed immediately.
* Is each room equipped with a dead bolt lock and a peephole?
* Fire sprinklers in hotel rooms, hallways, and meeting rooms likewise for smoke detectors. If each room is not equipped with a smoke detector, are sprinklers systems installed in the hallways or is your only hope the local fire department.
* Each room telephone should allow outside dialing.
* Guest phones located in hallways and lobbies should not allow direct room dialing. Anyone using the phone should have to call the operator and request a room by guest name, not room number.
* Secure locks on windows and adjoining doors.
* Well-lit interior hallways, parking structures and grounds.
* Hotels that have limited access to hotel structure, generally the more limited the access; the less likely a trespasser will enter.
* The parking garage should not have elevators taking passengers to guest floors. It should only go to the lobby.
* Does hotel provide personnel trained in guest security and available for escorts to rooms and auto when requested?
* Is the hotel located in a high crime rate area, especially when traveling overseas? Check with the US Embassy's Resident Security Officer in that country and they can alert you of areas to stay away from.
When arriving and checking into your hotel room
* If you arrive in a bus or cab, stay with your luggage until it is brought into the hotel lobby.
* Keep a close eye on your luggage, purse, etc when checking in.
* If the lobby is busy, thieves will often take advantage of the distractions to take your things with them.
* If you are staying in an older room which still has the older guest door locks with metal key, one of first signs of how a hotel treats the issue of security is to observe how hotel room keys are controlled. If it is checkout time and a pile of metal room keys are laying on the front desk, the hotel is not too concerned about your security. Anyone can take and key laying on the desk. This is not a big concern if the hotel is using electronic key cards but is if the metal keys have the room number embossed on it. You will find this more prevalent overseas.
* Ask the front desk personnel not to announce your room number. Rather, tell them to write it down or point to it. If the desk clerk should do this, explain the problem and asked to be given another room. You never know who is listening. Your room number is a matter of security, and the fewer people that know your whereabouts, the better. There’s no need to announce it to the entire hotel lobby.
* When registering, sign only your last name and first initial. Don’t use titles or degrees. Makes it harder to determine gender, marital status or profession. If you are a women traveling alone, you might consider booking your room as Mr. and Mrs.
* Don't leave your credit card lying on the check-in counter while you complete your registration. Also make sure the credit card that is handed back to you by the hotel clerk is really yours.
* Instruct the desk not to give out your name and room number and ask for them to call you if someone inquires about you.
* Immediately upon check in, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to come back to. If you get lost, you have the address and phone number handy. There is nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the "Marriott" and they ask which one?? That could be one very expensive cab ride. Or if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook, and you’re on your way back to the hotel.
Room Selection
* Maximize safety and security. Select a room located between the 4 and 6th floor Avoid rooms above the sixth floor--the maximum height that fire-department ladders can reach. For some fire departments overseas, and within the United States, they do not have equipment to reach hotel floors above the 6th floor
* Whenever possible do not except a hotel on the ground floor that has doors and windows that open to the outside. Hotels with interior hallways tend to be generally safer. For security in motels, avoid ground floor rooms off the parking lot. If you can't get a room on a higher level, take one facing the interior courtyard.
* Guestrooms that are as close to the elevators as possible are safest, but tend to be noisier. You might also want to find out if the room is located next to a vending area, those also tend to be noisy.
Elevator safety
* Women should be accompanied to hotel room and room should be checked
* Observe all passengers in elevators
* It is wise to board last and select floor buttons last
* If possible position yourself near the elevator control panel and if attacked, push as many floor buttons as possible. Keep your back to the sidewall.
* If someone suspicious boards an elevator, exit as soon as possible.
When checking into your hotel room
After checking into a room, examine the following:
* Examine the guest room lock and be sure it is functioning properly.
* The closets and bathrooms are checked to make sure no one is hiding.
* All windows and outside doors are checked to insure they lock and operate properly
* The lock on the adjoining door is checked to insure it is locked and works
* The telephone is checked and you know how to make a outside call
* Look for information in room about fire safety and read to become familiar with nearest fire exit / stairway. Locate nearest fire exit. Find one at each end of the hallway. How many doors away? Does the door open easily? Are the exit signs illuminated? If the lights are out, be helpful and contact the front desk to let them know. Is the stairwell clear of debris? Make a note on the back of the business card that you place by your bed noting the number of doors away to the emergency exit, in each direction, and the location of the fire extinguisher and fire pull box.
* When you enter your hotel room, make sure the door closes securely and that the deadbolt works. Keep the deadbolt and safety bar on at all time. It cannot be stressed enough that you should never prop your hotel room door open. Anyone could walk in.
* Place your room key in the same place every time, preferably close to the bed.
* If you have to leave the room in a hurry due to an emergency, you won't have time to be searching for your key. Also, you'll need the key to get back into the room.
* When inside a hotel room, for whatever length of time always use the deadbolt. If the room does not a dead bolt or heavy-duty security clasp but has a chain, twist it to take up the slack before latching it.
* The door to your room must never be opened by anyone unless the guest is absolutely known.
* If you receive a phone call to your room and the person states they are with the hotel and need to come to your room and repair something, use caution. Always get the employees name and call the front desk to verify that it was a legitimate employee who called you and they do in fact need to come to your room. Some criminals are known to where hotel uniforms or pose a plainclothes security. The best bet is to be your own security guard. No matter how effective hotel security is, it can't think of everything.
* If you want to test the hotel, call the switchboard from a house phone and ask for yourself. Tell the operator you are not sure of the room number. If the answer is, "She's in room 203," this is not a good sign. The correct answer is, "I'll connect you." Good security requires that the hotel switchboard not give out room numbers and the best hotels strictly adhere to this policy.
* When inside your room, use a door swedge when sleeping or in the shower. This may seem a little overkill but overseas, hotel burglars have been know to frequent hotels that use standard metal room keys that are easy to obtain. Unfortunately many hotels do not change the locks to the doors when the keys are lost, the criminals know that many of the hotel rooms might contain valuables of the presumed wealthy western traveler from the United States. Some of the crooks are very bold. They have been know to listen to the room door to see if you are in the shower. If you are they enter your room with the spare key (because no secondary door lock) and removes your wallet, purse, or laptop. If someone else is in the room the crook is in a suit and says “sorry, the front desk gave me this key.” By employing a door swedge will keep out these sly crooks and will could an alarm if attempted. See our products page for one of these devices.
* Never leave your key in the lock inside your room (some hotels in third world countries still have these). they can be pushed out from the other side with a pin. The crooks simply slides a piece of newspaper under the door, the key drops on the paper and the crook slide the paper and the key back under the door.
Place that all-important flashlight next to your bed.
* It's much too dangerous to be stumbling around in a dark hotel in the middle of the night if the electricity goes out. Also, if you have to evacuate in the event of a fire, the flashlight will help guide you down a smoke filled hallway.
* Remember, if there is a fire or other such emergency, you are pretty much on your own to evacuate yourself, especially at night. What you learn in the few minutes it takes you to orient yourself to your room and the surrounding areas could mean the difference between life and death
* If you loose your key, ask for a new room or have the lock or electronic key card changed.
When you leave your hotel room for the day or evening
* When you leave your room, always leave the television on.
* Ask maid to make your room up during breakfast. Place “Do not disturb" sign on door. If you want maid service, call to housekeeping and tell them to make up the room but leave the sign on the door. The sign is valuable when you aren't in the room because it gives the impression you are still inside.
* At night, leave a light on and drapes should be partially opened as if someone was inside.
* Always use the security vault in hotel. The in-room safe is adequate sometimes. The ones least recommended are those that take standard keys (usually overseas). Preferred are those that have an electronic combination lock. The front desk deposit boxes are usually safer but more inconvenient.
* Don't display you guest room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crook have known to walk by casually, observe the number in the key if stamped on it and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store and using your room number.
What to take with you when leaving your hotel room
* Take a minimum of cash, and only enough travelers checks for that outing.
* Carry “bait money” for potential thieves.
* Wear minimum jewelry, especially women. Women, wear only a simple wedding band in lieu of a diamond ring. Remember in some foreign cities and even some area within the United States, a diamond ring might be worth what a criminal might earn in a year. Remove the temptation!
* Keep credit cards and t/checks in separate pockets.
Laptop safety while staying in a in hotel room
* Laptop computers or other expensive items can be easily stolen from hotel rooms. The only way to protect them is to leave them at the front desk in a safety deposit box or to secure them in your room. If you want to take the easy way by leaving them in your room (most of us do) use a security cable to a fixed object in the hotel. I always attach my laptop to the pipe under the sink in the bathroom when my laptop is left in the hotel room for several hours. Think about it. Would you leave your wallet or purse sitting on the table in the middle of your room? Usually not, but you would leave a $3,500 laptop sitting there! Which is more valuable?
Hotel parking lots
* If you valet park your car at the hotel, and valet driver puts a card on your dash, make sure it does not have your room number, always keep it private.
* Always walk in numbers at night, especially in hotel parking lots
* Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. Crooks know that rental cars contain items of value.
* Park as close to an exit as possible.
* When approaching a car, always have keys in hand.
* Women should keep purses close to their bodies not loose around or dandling off a shoulder. Keep it in front of you with a hand on top of it. Do not feel awkward to ask for an escort to your car. It is recommended to use the valet service at night.
Tips Maintenance Plasma TV
Sustaining a plasma TV is somewhat an effortless and unproblematic job looking at how tenderly you accomplish it. A number of easy steps while viewing, resting and the cleansing of your most preferred consumer machine may hold numerous everyday ‘mechanical ailments’ at bay. Unquestionably, doing so will avoid an inconvenient and unnecessary burn-in. Here we go!
Equal Brightness : Seek to assert a picture perfect balance as far as the intensity level, when viewing your plasma TV is concerned. Using clarity degree at its highest most of the time might invite burn-in. It is wiser to avoid the utilization of overly sparkly bulbs and tubes in the TV area. They drive you to set your TV screen on a high brightness form. What’s more, don’t make use of the contrast set to its maximum. To be more precise, put it at an acceptable degree to prevent burn-in.
Move It : As your plasma TV is fairly fresh, it is more adviseable to prevent viewing a still photo for a long. It causes untimely burn-in. Like so, decrease using the ‘pause’ method for a sustained time. What’s more, shun using video games on your plasma television. However, if your TV set had grown older, an extended duration of stationary imagery viewing bears no hazard.
Deep Sleep : Experts always suggest that a consumer of plasma TV should not put it on standby form ceaselessly, to a certain extent he/she recommend to turn it off completely. Not only that the user can wind up saving a little power, doing so may offer the plasma TV an absolute rest as to which allows the screen to keep up its competence for an extended phase and save the image quality nice.
Cautious Cleaning : While cleansing your plasma TV screen, to begin with, you have to scan the consumers guide cautiously. Just then will you start cleansing as per tutoring and make use of only brand name cleansing solutions which contain pH natural tag.
Use up a fresh and clean piece of cotton fabric and wash your hands before and after cleansing the screen. Do not use toilet paper to cleanse the screen. While cleansing, don’t let the fluid to leak on any other portion and have the TV unplugged when you perform the cleansing.
Place It Safely : The location you locate your plasma TV additionally plays an effective and essential role in the durability of this consumer domestic device. Keep it away from the absolute contact to the day light and flames. Thus, keep from locating it beside windows, fireplaces and other warm items. More so, be ensured that no unsafe amount of clamminess is all over your TV. Prevent fluid and liquids to occupy the safe part. Do not put your ref by it too.
Elongated Watch : While you view your plasma TV, be definite that you have seen your preferred show completely before you shut it off. Too much turn-offs followed by as many turn-ons will impair the inner mechanism of the screen which leads to a disintegrated image quality.
Tips Maintenance for Computer
To prevent any long-lasting issues from affecting your computer, you should perform regular maintenance.
Unfortunately, most of us may find that we do not understand the mechanics of our computers or are merely intimidated by any clean-up attempt that is necessary. Below you will find some quick and easy steps to take in order to ensure your computer continues to work as smoothly as possible.
Whether you are aware of this or not, your computer needs software to be updated often, keeping your anti-virus subscription up to date, and checking for spyware. In order to improve computer security and performance, read over the following basic maintenance tasks, and be sure to make them part of your ongoing clean-up routine.
Sign up for software updates and register your software.
Several software companies are able to send you free email notifications that let you know of a particular application update or security patch that is available. Such updates are essential when running an anti-spyware or anti-virus application so it enables them to detect the latest threats. Registering your software applications will also ensure that you are running the latest version limiting errors and vulnerabilities.
Keep your software up-to-date by installing updates immediately.
Over time, software applications become out dated and could be compromised by newly discovered vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities may affect your system and put you at risk of installing malware. Applying software updates in a timely manner will help limit the risk of your system being infected as a result of a vulnerability within a software application.
Regularly change your passwords.
Using a strong password and changing it seldom will make it difficult for attackers to guess it for the purpose of accessing your online accounts. If you use the same password for longer periods of time, the likelihood of a hacker guessing it is extremely high.
Back-up your files and important documents.
Should your system suffer damage or the hard drive crashes, you may permanently loose important documents and files. Backing up your system regularly will ensure that you can recover any lost information as a result from an unexpected spyware infection or system failure.
Hopefully by following these simple steps, you will find your computer running at optimum performance, with little to no threat of infiltration by hackers or the infection of malware.
Unfortunately, most of us may find that we do not understand the mechanics of our computers or are merely intimidated by any clean-up attempt that is necessary. Below you will find some quick and easy steps to take in order to ensure your computer continues to work as smoothly as possible.
Whether you are aware of this or not, your computer needs software to be updated often, keeping your anti-virus subscription up to date, and checking for spyware. In order to improve computer security and performance, read over the following basic maintenance tasks, and be sure to make them part of your ongoing clean-up routine.
Sign up for software updates and register your software.
Several software companies are able to send you free email notifications that let you know of a particular application update or security patch that is available. Such updates are essential when running an anti-spyware or anti-virus application so it enables them to detect the latest threats. Registering your software applications will also ensure that you are running the latest version limiting errors and vulnerabilities.
Keep your software up-to-date by installing updates immediately.
Over time, software applications become out dated and could be compromised by newly discovered vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities may affect your system and put you at risk of installing malware. Applying software updates in a timely manner will help limit the risk of your system being infected as a result of a vulnerability within a software application.
Regularly change your passwords.
Using a strong password and changing it seldom will make it difficult for attackers to guess it for the purpose of accessing your online accounts. If you use the same password for longer periods of time, the likelihood of a hacker guessing it is extremely high.
Back-up your files and important documents.
Should your system suffer damage or the hard drive crashes, you may permanently loose important documents and files. Backing up your system regularly will ensure that you can recover any lost information as a result from an unexpected spyware infection or system failure.
Hopefully by following these simple steps, you will find your computer running at optimum performance, with little to no threat of infiltration by hackers or the infection of malware.
Tips Car Repair & Maintenance
This is a Simple Repair And Maintenance Your Cars
For as much pleasure and freedom a car can provide, it can also stress you out with problems and repairs. You’re certainly not alone. If I listed all the quirks my own car has (resolved and yet to be), I’d put you to sleep and myself in a mental institution. I’ll do the opposite by providing proactive tips and info just for you!
Words of the Wise – Common sense things I’ve learned.
Used versus new – You’d think with all the repairs a car can require as it ages, it’d be cheaper to have a younger car. Not so true, I’ve learned. The new car, being more valuable, is very expensive to insure. The yearly increase in your insurance bill could dwarf the yearly repairs costs of a used car.
Don’t put it off – Learn to fix and check your various lights before you get a ticket when one burns out – the difference between several hundred dollars and just a couple. Check the tread on your tires before they rip open on the freeway. I had to bail out my friend once because of this very thing. My whole day was wasted. Another example: Under the hood of my own car, there was a problem where oil was going thru tubes and hoses not meant for oil. I observed jolts of power loss and bad fuel economy, ignoring both for months. I ended up paying $500+ to replace parts that rotted out. I could have avoided rotted parts had I fixed the root cause sooner.
Jumper cables versus tow truck – You may not notice that you need a new battery until your current one won’t crank at all one morning. Dilemma: keep $50 jumper cables in your trunk or pay an extra hundred or two waiting a couple hours for a tow truck to bring you the very same thing. Print this guide so you don’t electrocute yourself. ;) If you drive a stick, learn how to push start your car!
These are 3 tips that keep you from losing a mountain of money versus very little. MSN Money has 17 more tips if you’re interested.
Utilize coupons & various discounts – They’re not just for groceries and clothes. Here is a list of Free Mania blog posts and a couple links that help you save some money:
AAMCO – Car Inspection – Check Engine Light Reading - FREE!
Free AAA Auto Check Up – Get a 38-point inspection free from AAA auto repair facilities. This is good for AAA members only. Expires 8/31.
Firestone – Get $10 off a basic oil change plus $25 off a break service, and many more.
Castrol – Print coupon (Adobe Acrobat format) for $5.00 off your next oil change. This is an ongoing promotion.
Meineke - Take advantage of Meineke coupons you can print right now. Get a basic oil change for just $19.95.
Jiffy Lube - Print this coupon for $5.00 your next oil change at Jiffy Lube. Expires 1/1/10.
Midas – Get offers and oil change reminders when you join the club.
Pay for advice?! – Never! Google is your friend.
Online forums and communities exist centered around cars and car repair. You’re likely not the only one hearing a weird particular noise under the hood, etc. Or maybe you just proudly fixed something yourself, saving $$$ in the process. Take pictures and write up the steps to help others.
Online communities are an amazing resource for car troubles. Search old posts to see if someone had your same problem. If you think no one’s heard that strange noise, post a new topic. Car enthusiasts, certified mechanics, and simple proactive car owners like you will share their ideas and experience.
I own a VW. I’ve used the VWvortex forums to replace my battery and replace my dashboard headlights switch. They have a community of experts and many DIY guides written by forum members.
To find the right forum for you – I used to drive a Saturn car, so I did a Google search for “saturn car forums”. The first result was the Saturnfans.com Car Forums. If you own a Saturn, click that link to have free access to thousands of posts covering every topic of Saturn cars imaginable!
To find your forum, just try a search for ‘[your brand] car forums’ using Google.
I hope these tips have opened new insight for making your car troubles cost a lot less or even be totally free! Drive safe!
Or
Taking care of your car maintenance can be very rewarding if done properly so here's a list of seven tips that can help you save money on your car parts and service.
1. A well tuned car can has a fuel consumption from 25% to 33% lower than a poorly tuned car making a tune-up cheaper than driving without it, tuning your car for better performance can save you between $150 and $250 per year.
2. Regardless of the number of miles the manual recommends a oil change and filter change you should change them every 3,000 miles. This is one of the most important factors in your engine's life since it's going to prolong your engine's life and you're going to save on engine car parts. The potential savings are $500 to $3000.
3. Dirty air filter means more gasoline used and reduces the engine's life so you should check it regularly, maybe monthly. The air filter can be cleaned by blowing it with a hose or can be replaced. You can save about $130 per year..
4. Using steel-belted radial tires can increase the number of miles you make per year by up to 10%, saving this way about $130 per year.
5. Most cars, don't work better on premium gas, so, unless your car is pinging or knocking you shouldn't use higher octane gas. If your car doesn't have a high performance engine, using the gas that best suits your car's engine can save you $200 to $400 per year.
6. Having under inflated tires makes your engine burn about 6% more gas so make sure you check your tire pressure regularly.
7. If your tires are improperly balanced the tread on them will be destroyed. In addition, your suspension and shock absorbers can be damaged leading to more expense on car parts and service. Balancing your tires once a year can add thousands of miles to their life.
For as much pleasure and freedom a car can provide, it can also stress you out with problems and repairs. You’re certainly not alone. If I listed all the quirks my own car has (resolved and yet to be), I’d put you to sleep and myself in a mental institution. I’ll do the opposite by providing proactive tips and info just for you!
Words of the Wise – Common sense things I’ve learned.
Used versus new – You’d think with all the repairs a car can require as it ages, it’d be cheaper to have a younger car. Not so true, I’ve learned. The new car, being more valuable, is very expensive to insure. The yearly increase in your insurance bill could dwarf the yearly repairs costs of a used car.
Don’t put it off – Learn to fix and check your various lights before you get a ticket when one burns out – the difference between several hundred dollars and just a couple. Check the tread on your tires before they rip open on the freeway. I had to bail out my friend once because of this very thing. My whole day was wasted. Another example: Under the hood of my own car, there was a problem where oil was going thru tubes and hoses not meant for oil. I observed jolts of power loss and bad fuel economy, ignoring both for months. I ended up paying $500+ to replace parts that rotted out. I could have avoided rotted parts had I fixed the root cause sooner.
Jumper cables versus tow truck – You may not notice that you need a new battery until your current one won’t crank at all one morning. Dilemma: keep $50 jumper cables in your trunk or pay an extra hundred or two waiting a couple hours for a tow truck to bring you the very same thing. Print this guide so you don’t electrocute yourself. ;) If you drive a stick, learn how to push start your car!
These are 3 tips that keep you from losing a mountain of money versus very little. MSN Money has 17 more tips if you’re interested.
Utilize coupons & various discounts – They’re not just for groceries and clothes. Here is a list of Free Mania blog posts and a couple links that help you save some money:
AAMCO – Car Inspection – Check Engine Light Reading - FREE!
Free AAA Auto Check Up – Get a 38-point inspection free from AAA auto repair facilities. This is good for AAA members only. Expires 8/31.
Firestone – Get $10 off a basic oil change plus $25 off a break service, and many more.
Castrol – Print coupon (Adobe Acrobat format) for $5.00 off your next oil change. This is an ongoing promotion.
Meineke - Take advantage of Meineke coupons you can print right now. Get a basic oil change for just $19.95.
Jiffy Lube - Print this coupon for $5.00 your next oil change at Jiffy Lube. Expires 1/1/10.
Midas – Get offers and oil change reminders when you join the club.
Pay for advice?! – Never! Google is your friend.
Online forums and communities exist centered around cars and car repair. You’re likely not the only one hearing a weird particular noise under the hood, etc. Or maybe you just proudly fixed something yourself, saving $$$ in the process. Take pictures and write up the steps to help others.
Online communities are an amazing resource for car troubles. Search old posts to see if someone had your same problem. If you think no one’s heard that strange noise, post a new topic. Car enthusiasts, certified mechanics, and simple proactive car owners like you will share their ideas and experience.
I own a VW. I’ve used the VWvortex forums to replace my battery and replace my dashboard headlights switch. They have a community of experts and many DIY guides written by forum members.
To find the right forum for you – I used to drive a Saturn car, so I did a Google search for “saturn car forums”. The first result was the Saturnfans.com Car Forums. If you own a Saturn, click that link to have free access to thousands of posts covering every topic of Saturn cars imaginable!
To find your forum, just try a search for ‘[your brand] car forums’ using Google.
I hope these tips have opened new insight for making your car troubles cost a lot less or even be totally free! Drive safe!
Or
Taking care of your car maintenance can be very rewarding if done properly so here's a list of seven tips that can help you save money on your car parts and service.
1. A well tuned car can has a fuel consumption from 25% to 33% lower than a poorly tuned car making a tune-up cheaper than driving without it, tuning your car for better performance can save you between $150 and $250 per year.
2. Regardless of the number of miles the manual recommends a oil change and filter change you should change them every 3,000 miles. This is one of the most important factors in your engine's life since it's going to prolong your engine's life and you're going to save on engine car parts. The potential savings are $500 to $3000.
3. Dirty air filter means more gasoline used and reduces the engine's life so you should check it regularly, maybe monthly. The air filter can be cleaned by blowing it with a hose or can be replaced. You can save about $130 per year..
4. Using steel-belted radial tires can increase the number of miles you make per year by up to 10%, saving this way about $130 per year.
5. Most cars, don't work better on premium gas, so, unless your car is pinging or knocking you shouldn't use higher octane gas. If your car doesn't have a high performance engine, using the gas that best suits your car's engine can save you $200 to $400 per year.
6. Having under inflated tires makes your engine burn about 6% more gas so make sure you check your tire pressure regularly.
7. If your tires are improperly balanced the tread on them will be destroyed. In addition, your suspension and shock absorbers can be damaged leading to more expense on car parts and service. Balancing your tires once a year can add thousands of miles to their life.
New Car BMW 5 Seres
Thursday, July 30, 2009
When you think of luxury executive saloons, one car always comes to mind, the BMW 5-series. A class leader since its inception, the 5-series remains a crucial car to BMW. With the current E60 5-series introduced back in 2004, BMW is preparing the sixth-generation model to be revealed in 2010. It will be a tough job for the designers as well as the thousands of engineers working across BMW’s development centers to renew the current model, a car that already resides at the edge of the technical front line.
The new design is critical for BMW’s design manager Adrian van Hooydonk and his team, who have to create an exterior that radiates the brand’s distinctive design values and at the same time feels new and fresh. Using information from various sources, these renderings were compiled by our partners over at Sweden’s Auto Motor and Sport and their illustrator Radovan Varicak, giving us a preview of what the final version will look like.
The front-end will likely feature a more upright kidney grille in order to comply with stronger pedestrian protection laws, while the headlights won’t be stretched out like on the current model. BMW’s characteristic interaction between convex and concave shapes will still be emphasized, and will be clearly indicated in the engine hood’s lines.
The rear roofline and C-pillar connects more fluidly to the trunk lid, which is now devoid of the Bangle-butt that was so universally derided with the E60 model. Parts of the tail-lights continue onto the trunk lid in order to strengthen the impression of width. We must say, this design is very pleasing and if BMW’s car looks anything like this, we sure it’ll lure back any customers loss to its rivals because of the controversial styling of the former E60.
The new 5-series is being built off an entirely new chassis, with double wishbones in the front, like on the new X5. The move is designed to give better control and road grip around corners, according to the chassis engineers. With the aid of the extremely fast Flex-Ray automotive network communications protocol, the adaptive shock absorbers is set to become more effective, as will active steering.
BMW will also be updating its iDrive system for the new 5-series, making life a little easier with the addition of yet another pair of programmable buttons. Those that think the standard 5-series isn’t sporty enough will have to wait for a few more years until the new M5 turns up with its V10 motor and more power than the 507hp offered in today’s edition. The M version will be the only 5-series model offered with a new dual clutch gearbox (similar to VW’s DSG technology).
The standard version will instead be fitted with an 8-speed automatic transmission that will take the fight to Lexus. This gearbox is being developed by ZF, which will also manufacture a new four wheel drive system that will feature in the new Five. A new 5-series wouldn’t be complete without the introduction of more electronic driver’s aids, and this time BMW is bringing Dynamic Performance Control to the table. The system actively distributes torque between the wheels, depending on how the car acts during a turn. The result is increased security and the ability to handle larger side forces. The new differential will also come in the new 3-series and potentially even the 1-series as an option.
A full-hybrid system, featuring an electric motor in parallel with an engine, is not currently planned for the new 5-series, which instead is likely to feature the same system already used in the 1-series. This light-hybrid system consists of an electric starter motor that’s connected to the crankshaft and can function as both a generator and a propulsion system, spinning the engine during initial off the line acceleration. The light-hybrid will be available in both diesel and petrol versions and expect a new V8 diesel engine to make its debut in the next-gen model.
The two-mode hybrid transmission that was developed by BMW together with General Motors and DaimlerChrysler is mostly aimed at bigger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs. The design features dual motors, and an advanced control system that can allow both engines can be turned on simultaneously, and to regenerate electric power during braking.
This two-mode system, however, is not currently planned for the next generation 5-series, although BMW has not eliminated the possibility that a similar technology can be added towards the end of the model’s life cycle. We’ll have to make do with the light hybrid at the moment since BMW feels it has already succeeded in heavily reducing the fuel consumption of their engines. However, it remains to be seen whether or not BMW will be able to reach the EU’s new requirements for average CO2 emissions of 130g/km by 2012.
That’s it for now, we’ll be back soon with more exclusive news. But in the mean time, if you would like us to keep you updated on all the BMW news, please take a moment and sign up for our email feed. Get updates by email
Car Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius ditches Incredible Shrinking Gas Tank for conventional unit
Ever notice that you your bladder seems to shrink when its cold outside? Apparently, the Toyota Prius feels your pain, and while we don't have any good solutions to report for your own personal problems, Toyota has found an easy fix for its hybrid. Unlike previous generations of Toyota's fuel saver, the new 2010 model won't have an underperforming bladder when it's cold outside.
Since its introduction back in 2001, Toyota has equipped the Prius with a synthetic fuel tank bladder that collapsed as gasoline was slowly pumped out of the tank and into the engine. Due to complaints that the last-gen car wasn't able to take its full 11.9 gallon fuel allotment whenever the temperature was below 70-degrees, the third-generation Prius comes equipped with a more conventional rigid fuel tank made from lightweight resin. In order to retain its coveted low-emissions rating in California, the latest Prius also reportedly features an improved vapor-recovery system that will help reduce hydrocarbon emissions
President Obama to Set Rules for Health Insurance Companies And
Taking his health care reform push to the real world, President Obama hits, campaign-style, stops in Bristol, Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina, in red states he turned blue last Fall.
Today he will outline eight specific consumer protections that he wants to be part of reform:
• no discrimination for pre-existing conditions,
• no exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses,
• no cost-sharing for preventive care,
• no dropping of coverage for serious illness,
• no gender discrimination,
• no annual or lifetime caps,
• extended coverage for young adults, and
• guaranteed insurance renewal.
Have you had problems with your insurance companies? Let us know what your experiences are below.
One of the most appealing arguments for government health insurance is the perception that it's "a sure thing." No matter how powerful reputational incentives are, a private health insurance might go out of business, or fall into the hands of a myopic CEO. With government health insurance, on the other hand, you know that you're covered, right?
This is a prime example of what psychologists call a pseudocertainty effect. Tversky and Kahneman originally explained it using two hypotheticals (my paraphrase):
Hypothetical #1: You play a two-stage game. There is a 75% chance that the game ends in stage 1 and you win nothing. However, if you make it to stage 2, you get to choose between $30 with certainty, or an 80% of $45.
Hypothetical #2: You choose between a 25% chance of $30 or a 20% chance of $45.
Most people take the first choice in Hypothetical #1, and the second choice in Hypothetical #2, even though they are mathematically identical. T&K's explanation: Hypothetical #1 looks better due to a "pseudocertainty effect." People are misled by the fact that the P(A|B)=1, even though B itself is far from certain.
What does this have to do with health care? Well, government health care is a sure thing conditional on (a) getting high-quality care for (b) a treatable ailment (c) in a timely manner (d) without getting a secondary infection... etc. In other words, like private health care, government health care isn't a sure thing at all.
Now you could object, "It's not about a pseudocertainty effect. It's about a higher likelihood of good health with government health insurance." If you go down that route, however, you've opened yourself up to a barrage of tough questions. What evidence is there that government health insurance raises life expectancy - or any other major measure of health? Even if it does, is the extra cost worth it? As Tversky and Kahneman showed, people will pay a lot to go from near-certainty to perfect certainty. They're far less eager to pay an arm and a leg to go from a 45.3% chance of living to 80 to a 45.5% chance living to 80.
My point: While "certainty" is of the most appealing arguments for government health insurance, it's silly. But if proponents stop using it, it's going to be a lot harder to win over public opinion. It's a choice between persuasion and honesty. Take your pick.
Today he will outline eight specific consumer protections that he wants to be part of reform:
• no discrimination for pre-existing conditions,
• no exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses,
• no cost-sharing for preventive care,
• no dropping of coverage for serious illness,
• no gender discrimination,
• no annual or lifetime caps,
• extended coverage for young adults, and
• guaranteed insurance renewal.
Have you had problems with your insurance companies? Let us know what your experiences are below.
One of the most appealing arguments for government health insurance is the perception that it's "a sure thing." No matter how powerful reputational incentives are, a private health insurance might go out of business, or fall into the hands of a myopic CEO. With government health insurance, on the other hand, you know that you're covered, right?
This is a prime example of what psychologists call a pseudocertainty effect. Tversky and Kahneman originally explained it using two hypotheticals (my paraphrase):
Hypothetical #1: You play a two-stage game. There is a 75% chance that the game ends in stage 1 and you win nothing. However, if you make it to stage 2, you get to choose between $30 with certainty, or an 80% of $45.
Hypothetical #2: You choose between a 25% chance of $30 or a 20% chance of $45.
Most people take the first choice in Hypothetical #1, and the second choice in Hypothetical #2, even though they are mathematically identical. T&K's explanation: Hypothetical #1 looks better due to a "pseudocertainty effect." People are misled by the fact that the P(A|B)=1, even though B itself is far from certain.
What does this have to do with health care? Well, government health care is a sure thing conditional on (a) getting high-quality care for (b) a treatable ailment (c) in a timely manner (d) without getting a secondary infection... etc. In other words, like private health care, government health care isn't a sure thing at all.
Now you could object, "It's not about a pseudocertainty effect. It's about a higher likelihood of good health with government health insurance." If you go down that route, however, you've opened yourself up to a barrage of tough questions. What evidence is there that government health insurance raises life expectancy - or any other major measure of health? Even if it does, is the extra cost worth it? As Tversky and Kahneman showed, people will pay a lot to go from near-certainty to perfect certainty. They're far less eager to pay an arm and a leg to go from a 45.3% chance of living to 80 to a 45.5% chance living to 80.
My point: While "certainty" is of the most appealing arguments for government health insurance, it's silly. But if proponents stop using it, it's going to be a lot harder to win over public opinion. It's a choice between persuasion and honesty. Take your pick.
Mortage Best Choice For Good Live
Mortgage Best Choice For Good Live, Mortgage rates continued to rise for the past two weeks as good news about the housing markets continues to trickle in. This week new home sales were reported up with the biggest single month increase in 8 years.
Yesterday, Standard and Poor’s Schiller Index showed that home prices appreciated in eight cities and in parts of 38 states. That is great news for the real estate sector which many believe is turning the corner on this whole mess. The overall picture was described as “flat” or “a plateau” but to me that sounds a lot better than “falling”.
Not all the news has been good this week. Poor consumer confidence and lower than expected orders for durable goods are two indicators published this week that remind us that our economy has a long way to go. Durable goods orders fell 2.5% in June, five times worse than expected. If you look at the details, the transportation sector was the key component that led to the bad news. Transportation orders dropped 12.8% mostly due to a huge drop in orders for commercial planes. Remember, as a rule of thumb, poor news indicates less demand which results in lower mortgage rates to attract customers.
Mortgage applications have been off for two weeks in a row due to the rising mortgage rates. The split between purchases and refinances is approximately 50/50. As described in the Home Affordable legislation that came out in April, we need the continuing stimulus of refinances across the country to help provide an injection of spending. Much better than a one time government hand out, if a homeowner is able to lower his mortgage payment $250 each and every month, that is a steady flow of money that can be spent elsewhere.
The mortgage rates on the Home Affordable DU Refi Plus, as it’s called, have jumped in the passed two weeks but still is very attractive for homeowners who obtained their mortgage financing in the spring and summers of 2006 & 2007 and at the end of 2008. To qualify you must be an existing Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac customer with your mortgage paid on time.
The remainder of the week will be very interesting to watch with regard to mortgage rates. Today we have the “beige book” numbers released which are an interesting set of economic indicators published by the government. Tomorrow, unemployment figures will be published and Friday Gross Domestic Product figures will be published. I look for a slight improvement in mortgage rates in the next few days as some of these numbers, outside of the real estate sector, will be negative and that this process of recovering our economy is a long and slow moving one.
Yesterday, Standard and Poor’s Schiller Index showed that home prices appreciated in eight cities and in parts of 38 states. That is great news for the real estate sector which many believe is turning the corner on this whole mess. The overall picture was described as “flat” or “a plateau” but to me that sounds a lot better than “falling”.
Not all the news has been good this week. Poor consumer confidence and lower than expected orders for durable goods are two indicators published this week that remind us that our economy has a long way to go. Durable goods orders fell 2.5% in June, five times worse than expected. If you look at the details, the transportation sector was the key component that led to the bad news. Transportation orders dropped 12.8% mostly due to a huge drop in orders for commercial planes. Remember, as a rule of thumb, poor news indicates less demand which results in lower mortgage rates to attract customers.
Mortgage applications have been off for two weeks in a row due to the rising mortgage rates. The split between purchases and refinances is approximately 50/50. As described in the Home Affordable legislation that came out in April, we need the continuing stimulus of refinances across the country to help provide an injection of spending. Much better than a one time government hand out, if a homeowner is able to lower his mortgage payment $250 each and every month, that is a steady flow of money that can be spent elsewhere.
The mortgage rates on the Home Affordable DU Refi Plus, as it’s called, have jumped in the passed two weeks but still is very attractive for homeowners who obtained their mortgage financing in the spring and summers of 2006 & 2007 and at the end of 2008. To qualify you must be an existing Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac customer with your mortgage paid on time.
The remainder of the week will be very interesting to watch with regard to mortgage rates. Today we have the “beige book” numbers released which are an interesting set of economic indicators published by the government. Tomorrow, unemployment figures will be published and Friday Gross Domestic Product figures will be published. I look for a slight improvement in mortgage rates in the next few days as some of these numbers, outside of the real estate sector, will be negative and that this process of recovering our economy is a long and slow moving one.
Naruto Shippuden The movie : Kakashi Chronicles The Movie
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
This is story of third great Ninja war, the story about past. frendship A boy on the battlefield.the secret of kakashi sharinggan .
wil be revealed next on 6 Agust..see in favorite cinemas in youe city
the story of how kakashi get sharinggan eyes, whether that happened and ran with obito? how the story of kakashi yondaime in travel time young? let's wait for his journey, that will reveal mysteries and exciting story about naruto shippuden.
Thelma & Louise American road movie
Thelma & Louise is a 1991 American road movie which breaks with tradition by featuring two female leads. Directed by Ridley Scott and written by Callie, Are you looking for Thelma and Louise last names? Tricky question as almost all of u only know them by their names, In any case, my two favorite crackheads, I'll call them Thelma and Louise, were there bright and early. Thelma is a 51 to 54 (depending on what story she's telling) year old ex gangster who is having husband trouble
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)