Miscallaneous Blog

Think about the Mars Rovers Opportunity and Spirit, the solar-powered vehicles that were designed to carry on for ninety days of Martian exploration but have now gone ten times that long - and are still going and going. Witness the great shots Opportunity just sent back from the edge of the Victoria crater.

In fact, when you think about them, you realize these golf-cart-size wonders seem to be cleverer than any electric car roving the surface of the earth. Somehow they just keep powering along, even in an environment that seems quite a bit more hostile even than driving in New York City.

So here’s to the twin Rovers. May they continue their revealing trek across the red planet.

And may someone in Detroit ask, Why are the most successful electric cars on Mars?

Tom Attea, humorist and creator of NewsLaugh.com http://NewsLaugh.com , has had six shows produced Off-Broadway. Critics have called his writing delightfully funny, witty, with good, genuine laughs and great humor and ebullience.

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Most of the students nowadays fear debt (Education Guardian, 2006). However, debt is not necessarily a bad thing, if you can control it. Learning how to control it early on pays dividends for the rest of your life, as the likelihood is, you will owe some money to someone until retirement, be it a mortgage, loans or even leveraging a business. Simple corporate finance rule of thumb states that individuals and businesses can benefit from a correct ratio of debt in their portfolio (Brealey et al., 2003, p. 532).

The first rule of controlling your debt is not to spend too much. Students have a lot of different discounts available to them, so you need to get a student card as soon as you join the academic institution to be eligible for the discounts. In turn this means that your purchasing power increases as you buy the same basket of goods for less. For example, your Debt Reduction Team offers a wide range of discounts that are available not only to you but also to your friends and family (SDRT, 2002).

Your two biggest expenditures (except for alcohol) are likely to be accommodation costs and books. It is advisable to stay in university halls as long as it is possible. Sometimes applying early on and negotiating will allow you to secure a place in the second and third academic years. In Britain books are extremely expensive, so do not rush to buy everything on the reading list. The best way to save on books is to use the library and it is always worth signing up to libraries outside of your university which will give you access to books when they are not available in your own library. Also, if you are living in halls, students in the year above you are likely to have the books that you require. If you do want to buy books, check university book sales or the internet for second-hand bargains. However, if you do have to buy a brand new book, be very careful with it and do not break the back or loose the receipt, as this will allow you to refund it (usually within 10 days) if you decide that the book is not for you.

Other ways that you can save money are:

? “Shop for food with friends - buying in bulk can save money and means that you can take advantage of the ‘buy one get one free’ offers” (NatWest, 2006)

? “Use your NUS or ISIC card and also look in your Student’s Union for a number of one-off offers that are available” (NatWest, 2006)

? Before buying goods ask fellow students if they know where to get them cheaper

Considering that you have minimised your spending, the methods of efficient borrowing will be discussed below.

New students usually borrow from the Student Loan Company (SLC) to fund their fees. This company will allow you to borrow up to ?3,000 per year and the debt will need to be paid back once your income is ?15,000 or more per annum (City University, 2006). The SLC’s interest on the loan only increases in line with inflation (retail price index), therefore you will only pay what you have borrowed, plus inflation. The repayments will be linked to your income at 9% (DFES, 2006, p. 8). SLC loans are primarily used to pay tuition fees, but of course, you will also need some spending money. The majority of students will open a credit-card account. However, what you need to be aware of is that a credit card’s interest is a lot higher then those charged for a loan. Therefore, there are other sources of finance that you can try first, such as Student Accounts that are provided by most of the high-street banks. Student accounts will allow you to borrow at 0% interest (up to a certain amount) during your university years and 1-3 years afterwards. Most of the high-street banks compete to get students as their customers, so make sure you check all of the available offers before settling for an account.

However, if alternative resources have run out then opening a credit card might be the only option left. In this case you should be looking for a credit card with 0% on purchases. Most of the credit cards will have a shorter time-frame on 0% purchases than on balance transfers, so you need to find a credit card that will give the maximum time on free purchases. Zero per cent on purchases means that the cardholder pays no interest on anything that they purchase with the credit card for a certain period of time and after that timeframe expires, a standard rate of interest is incurred on the balance (RBS, 2006). The best deals on credit cards can be found on the internet. There are two things that you can do once you reach the end of the 0% period:

a) transfer the debt to a new credit card provider; or
b) pay off the debt.

Otherwise the debt will start rising out of control. In the first scenario there are a few things to watch out for. First of all, when you transfer the balance the amount of 0% purchases will go down. For example, if a new credit card offers a ?2,500 limit and ?2,000 is transferred from the original credit card, then only ?500 is left for purchases. Secondly, there will be a fee for transferral, which ranges from 2% to 6%, which needs to be taken into consideration when choosing the best deal. Thirdly, if the credit card offers a ?2,500 limit and ?2,500 is transferred, there will be no money left to spend, which will force you to open another credit card. Furthermore, most of the credit cards will have a certain cash withdrawal limit, which is much lower then the credit limit offered. You should be aware of that limit, and bear in mind that you will incur credit card charges every time money is withdrawn. So, the best thing to do is to have a plan of how to pay some of the spending off whilst 0% on transfers and purchases is still available.

There are a lot of different ways of earning money whilst at university, which will not interfere with the lecture attendance. Most universities and some agencies will allow a student to work around their timetable, furthermore there are a large number of companies on the internet that will allow you to work from home at your own pace. For example, a student once told me that the best way to earn money while at university is to look outside of university jobs. In her case, she did bar work at the club during semester time and temped full-time for an agency during summers doing administration work. On completion of university not only did she have a positive account balance, but also had good working experience to display on her CV.

Considering that you have some money coming in and 0% on purchases is available to you, you can put this income into a savings account (cash ISAs is one of the best ways of saving, while still allowing you to withdraw at any time). Therefore, your income is earning you money, but the credit card is not charging interest. Once the credit card has to be paid off, the required amount is withdrawn from the savings account and the credit-card bill is nullified.

However, what can you do when there is no income coming in? Unfortunately, you will need to rely on debt. As has been explained previously, you will need to make sure that you transfer credit balances before interest payments are incurred. However, there will come a time when you will run out of money available to you and this will require you to have some income coming in. As stated before, there are a lot of different ways of earning income whilst at university. Furthermore, bear in mind that most future employers will look favourably on previous job experience, even if it is not related to the job that you are applying for.

Getting rid of debt on completion of university is also not as difficult as it’s made out to be, if you can apply the correct discipline. The first thing that needs to be done is to understand exactly how much money is owed (this can include credit cards, loans and store cards). Secondly, debts need to be put in order of priority. For example, if the credit cards are incurring 14% interest, whilst 4% is charged on your loan, then paying off the credit cards should take priority. If you do not have the income to pay off all of the credit cards straight away there are a number of things that can be done:

a) transferring the balance to a 0% credit card;
b) speaking to your bank and asking them for terms to consolidate your credit cards (more then one quote should be obtained)
c) calling other debt consolidation companies and seeing what they can offer (Clear Start, 2006).

Similar stages can be applied to other debts, in order of priority. If steady income is available (which is higher than the amount spent per month) then debt is not necessarily a bad thing. If spending is controlled, then you can pay off outstanding debt, and benefit from alternative debt available. For example, if you spend against your credit card at 0% per year, then your outgoings can be put against the credit card, but income can be put into a savings account allowing those savings to be used to pay the card off at the end of the free period, so retaining the interest.

Some students think that they can default on a student loan. Defaulting on a student loan is very difficult. The loan will be automatically written off by the government after 25 years, if not paid (DFES, 2006).

Although the above work outlines different ways of maintaining and controlling debts, it should be noted that bad debts and an inability to pay may be registered with credit reference agencies, which in turn will decrease your ability to obtain a mortgage in the future (Dwelley, 2006). Therefore, it is important to control your finances at all stages: during university and afterwards.

This article was written by Verena Veneeva professional writer working for www.coursework4you.co.uk http://www.coursework4you.co.uk

You are free to reprint this article; however should you do so you must place a hyperlink to Papers4you

References

Brealey R, Myers S. 2003 “Principles of corporate finance” International Edition, published by McGraw-Hill Higher Education, p. 532

City University, 2006, “Student Loans - new students 2006/2007″ Available from: www.city.ac.uk/studentfunds/undergraduate/new/loans.html http://www.city.ac.uk/studentfunds/undergraduate/new/loans.html (Accessed on 31/10/06)

Clear Start 2006 “Unable to keep up monthly payments on credit cards and loans” Available from: www.clearstart.org/credit-card-debts-uk.php?gclid=CPmQwpvJo4gCFRnpXgoduHknSQ http://www.clearstart.org/credit-card-debts-uk.php?gclid=CPmQwpvJo4gCFRnpXgoduHknSQ (Accessed on 31/10/06)

DFES, 2006 “Student loans and the question of debt” Available from: www.dfes.gov.uk/hegateway/uploads/Debt%20-%20FINAL.pdf http://www.dfes.gov.uk/hegateway/uploads/Debt%20-%20FINAL.pdf (Accessed on 31/10/06)

Dwelley S. 2006 “Student debt and how to deal with it” Available from:
graduate.monster.co.uk/8663_en-GB_p1.asp http://graduate.monster.co.uk/8663_en-GB_p1.asp (Accessed on 31/10/06)

Education Guardian. 2006 “Market logic turns a degree into a share certificate” Available from: education.guardian.co.uk/students/tuitionfees/story/0,,1840824,00.html http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/tuitionfees/story/0,,1840824,00.html (Accessed on 31/10/06)

NatWest 2006 “Avoiding the student debt trap” Available from: www.he.courses-careers.com/debt.htm http://www.he.courses-careers.com/debt.htm (Accessed on 31/10/06)

RBS, 2006 “Credit Cards” Personal Finances Available from: www.rbs.co.uk/Personal_Finances/Credit_Cards/Card_Features_and_Benefits/default.htm http://www.rbs.co.uk/Personal_Finances/Credit_Cards/Card_Features_and_Benefits/default.htm (Accessed on 31/10/06)

SDRT 2006 “Student Debt Reduction Team” Available from: www.wessexscene.co.uk/article.php?sid=273 http://www.wessexscene.co.uk/article.php?sid=273 (Accessed on 31/10/06)

This article was written by Verena Veneeva professional writer working for www.coursework4you.co.uk http://www.coursework4you.co.uk

Reuters - Countrywide Financial Corp shares fell nearly 6 percent on Friday on renewed speculation that Bank of America Corp will renegotiate or cancel its agreement to buy the largest U.S. mortgage lender.

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The term teacup Chihuahua is merely a marketing strategy used by breeders who want to make their Chihuahua’s stand out or appear to be more rare or special than other Chihuahua’s.

The term ‘teacup’ refers to the size and the American Kennel Club does not recognize it as an official type of chihuahua.

The American Kennel Club is seen as the industries main source on all topics related to dogs and dog breeds. According to the American Kennel Club there are only two types of Chihuahuas - long hair and short hair.

Chihuahua’s vary in size as do other dogs and living things. However, the size difference between Chihuahua’s does not mean they are a different type of chihuahua.

All Chihuahua’s are considered just a chihuahua, no matter their different characteristics, just as all humans are considered human despite their variances.

This is an important point to know because many people who are buying Chihuahua’s see teacup Chihuahua’s as something special that they are willing to pay much more money for than any other chihuahua.

Breeders have caught on to the fact that marketing a chihuahua as a ‘teacup’ Chihuahua makes them more valuable to buyers. So, breeders will sell the smallest pups of a litter as teacup Chihuahua’s so they can earn a bigger profit.

In fact, some breeders go to extremes and breed smaller Chihuahua’s simply to get a teacup chihuahua.This practice is dangerous to the dogs health and is highly discouraged.

A smart buyer will know that these smaller pups are not worth anymore than their larger counterparts and therefore will not cave to the higher price tag.

Teacup Chihuahua’s are nicknamed due to their small size. Chihuahua’s range from 2 to 6 pounds and those at the lower end tend to get labeled with the nickname ‘teacup’. This does not make them more valuable or rare.

Reese Spiers

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Hair loss is in women is not as uncommon as you might think. It does not only happen to men. As a result, more and more hair loss treatments are being developed for women.

While we are used to seeing balding men, we are not accustomed to seeing balding women. Women tend to hide their hair loss under hats or wigs. Women are more self-conscious about their hair loss than most men are. Therefore it is all the more important to have effective treatment for women with hair loss.

Causes of hair loss in women

It is normal to shed some hair each day. In fact, experts say healthy people shed as many as 100 hairs each day. When a hair falls out, a new hair begins to grow from the same follicle. As some women grow older, though, new hairs may not grow. Hair usually thins gradually all over the head. Thinning hair can occur in younger women, but often begins to occur during menopause.

Hair loss in women can be caused by a number of other things. For instance, women often lose some hair during pregnancy. Hair will regrow after childbirth. Surgery may also cause hair loss due to anesthesia. Hair will regrow on its own and hair loss treatment is usually not needed.

A poor diet can lead to hair loss. Hair is made up of protein, so it is important to eat a healthy diet that includes foods with protein. Hair also needs minerals, particularly iron, in order to grow. An iron deficiency can lead to hair loss in women. Taking an iron supplement can help immensely.

Over treating hair with chemicals, such as those found in some hair dyes and permanents or straighteners can cause hair loss in women. Hair will usually regrow if you stop using these chemicals. Certain hairstyles can also lead to thinning hair. Tight buns, braids, or cornrows put extra strain on the scalp. This can actually cause scarring on the scalp, and then hair cannot grow there anymore.

Thyroid disease can cause hair loss. Medical treatment to correct the hormonal imbalance caused by the thyroid disease will allow the hair to regrow.

Certain medications will also cause hair loss in women, such as the chemotherapy sometimes used to treat cancer. If you think your medication is causing you to lose your hair, talk to your doctor. Never stop taking medication without checking with your doctor first.

Hair loss treatment

Hair loss treatment is not necessary in many cases. If hair loss is due to pregnancy, it will usually regrow following childbirth. If it is due to anesthesia used during surgery, it will usually regrow on its own. If hair loss is due to a poor diet, improving the diet is often all the treatment that is needed. If you wish to speed the natural hair regrowth process, you can try a hair loss treatment.

If hair loss is due to a medical problem, such as thyroid problems, you will need to see a doctor to get medical treatment. Your hair may then regrow on its own. If not, you may want to try some hair loss treatments.

If your hair loss is due to the normal aging process there are several hair loss treatments you can try. There are topical treatments, such as Rogaine, which you apply to your scalp. There are also oral medications, such as Propecia. Both of these have been proven to help treat hair loss in women. If you are on any medications, talk to your doctor to make sure these treatments are safe for you.

This article was written by Scott Mogul, editor for www.healthy-skin-guide.com http://www.healthy-skin-guide.com and www.quickcare.org http://www.quickcare.org For more information about female hair loss, and the latest hair loss discoveries, please visit these websites.

AP - A senior U.S. Homeland Security official is in Argentina to discuss money laundering, human trafficking - and dinosaur eggs.

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Fiber is part of a healthy diet, discover why.

Fiber plays a very important role in a healthy diet. Fiber is found in plants, and dietary fiber -the kind of fiber we eat- comes to us inside the fruits, vegetables and grains we eat.

Human provides no calories, as it cannot be digested by humans. Why is it so important then?

Fiber adds bulk to the diet. This bulk aids digestion by making food move faster through the system; not only preventing constipation but preventing the absorption of unhealthy substances as well. Fiber also protects the intestinal wall. With this function in mind, fiber helps to prevent diabetes, heart disease and diverticulosis, which sometimes develops into colon cancer.

Fiber makes you feel full faster and keeps you satisfied for longer, a priceless function when you are trying to control your weight.

DAILY RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF FIBER

Older children, teenagers and adults should aim to have 20-35 grams fiber per day. Fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals should be introduced to younger children, but without counting grams. The amount of food young children should eat in a day doesn’t allow to reach this level of fiber in their diet.

WAYS WITH FIBER

The way to ensure adequate fiber intake is to eat a variety of foods, including more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cereals, and dried beans and peas.

If you are not having enough, add fiber to your diet gradually. Water aids the passage of fiber through the digestive system, so drink plenty of fluids. Take a few weeks to build up the amount of fiber in your diet to avoid discomfort.

When you don’t peel fruits and vegetables, you are actually getting some more fiber. Cooked food may actually increase your fiber intake by decreasing the volume of the food that you eat. Eating fiber rich food is beneficial, no matter if it is cooked or raw.

HOW TO GET FIBER

There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel during digestion, slowing it. Soluble fiber is found in oat bran, barley, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, peas, and some fruits and vegetables. Soluble fiber has been scientifically proven to lower cholesterol, which can help prevent heart disease.

Insoluble fiber is found in foods such as wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains. Insoluble fiber seems to speed the passage of foods through the stomach and intestines.

THE DARK SIDE OF FIBER

Eating too much fiber in a short period of time can cause bloating and cramps. This usually goes away once the natural bacteria in the digestive system get used to the increase in fiber in the diet. This is the reason to take some weeks to reach the recommended amount of fiber.

It has been mentioned that too much fiber may interfere with the absorption of minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. As high fiber foods are usually also rich in minerals, this should not take your sleep away. However, consider this effect in the case of young children.

TIP

If you swallow a sharp object by accident -a little piece of broken glass, for instance- eat artichokes and asparagus -bread also helps. Their bulky fiber will wrap the object helping it to go through without causing injure.

Anne Ehmer is passionate about food. Non-stop travelling between Europe and United States has somehow afforded Anne time to develop her unique skills in cooking. Her stimulating ideas and recipes are registered in her web sites www.all-foods-natural.com http://www.all-foods-natural.com and www.world-food-and-wine.com http://www.world-food-and-wine.com .

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Laptop Insurance in now recognised as necessary, because most people recognise the risk of a high value laptop that they carry around. Computer Insurance is slightly less obvious in terms of travel risk, but a computer is similarly a high value item at risk from damage and theft.

Laptop insurance has historically covered mostly business customers. Now a new laptop protection and computer protection has just been released, particularly for those who don’t want to sign up to a long term contract.

This can be found at www.2u.co.uk/laptop-insurance/ http://www.2u.co.uk/laptop-insurance/

This is specifically designed to protect people who know their laptop or computer has high value but do not want to make a long term commitment. Instead people can protect their laptop or computer on a month by month basis.

Naturally, the value of a laptop or computer declines with age, and the cost of replacement tends to decline with time. So many people do not want to sign up for a long term contract. With this in mind, the latest laptop insurance and computer insurance policies have been developed, such as the 2U Laptop Insurance and 2U Computer Insurance policies.

Duncan Elliott has successfully managed and run the Marketing Dept at www.2u.co.uk/laptop-insurance/ http://www.2u.co.uk/laptop-insurance/ and the affiliate system at www.2u.co.uk/join/ http://www.2u.co.uk/join/ for the last 6 years.

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Arizona is quite famous for its rich cultural heritage and is known as Grand Canyon State. It is full of breathtaking spots, golf courses, wildlife, spas and many more places to visit. Its diverse culture, distinct art, architecture, vibrant history and various cultural venues marks its attraction and make it a wonderful destination to visit.

The most common errors that people commit while going on a vacation is lack of proper planning, which is one of the crucial issue. First and foremost, you should draw a proper budget in order to enjoy your holiday to the fullest. You can apply for professional counseling, where you may find valuable guidelines regarding the accommodation. You have very many options including condos, villas, vacation rentals, apartments and of course hotels to stay in Arizona. It is entirely up to you to find the one suitable for you.

You can also seek aid in the technocratic advancement, as, there are very many sites offering a sound piece of advice from travel experts. There you will have a general idea regarding the basic guidelines to plan a vacation with Arizona vacation rentals. All your queries can also be answered through online services.

With internet access, you can have a view at Arizona vacation guides, absolutely free of cost. It comprises of a list of various sights, parks and places to visit at Arizona. In this way, you will have an idea about the perfect time to visit the place and climatic conditions of Arizona, as well. Coming back to our point, Arizona vacation rentals are an ultimate choice for those, whose concern is to travel and at the same time to have ease of being at home.

With Arizona vacation rentals, you can have, as many as, bed rooms (note the plural), personal dining room, well furnished place, DVD player, couch and many more. You can dive in to the swimming pool, whenever you feel like. There will be a separate parking lot for your car. Arizona vacation rentals attend to all your needs in the best possible manner.

You can make the optimum use of your vacation with the help of Arizona vacation rentals. The ecstasy will be unbound in the beautiful locales of Arizona. Does all this sound too good to be true. But, this is true with Arizona vacation rentals. Arizona vacation rentals promises you an unforgettable vacation that too at nominal rates. You will be overwhelmed by serenity and charm of the environment.

Sylvestor Johnson is offering loan and rental advice for quite some time. He is working as financial consultant for ThinkRentals. To find Arizona vacation rentals, Cabin rentals, Condo rentals, Rental homes, Vacation rentals, Beach house vacation rentals that best suits your needs visit www.thinkrentals.com http://www.thinkrentals.com

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A lot of teens nowadays do not understand the value of earning and spending money. They were not oriented that investing is necessary even if they are still students. As parents, you play a crucial role in this area.

You should be able to teach your kids on how to save money. They should be able to understand the concept of money and investment as early as childhood. This will prepare them to learn money management, as they grow old.

Here are some tips on how you can teach your children how to save money:

1. Your children should be educated of the meaning of money. Once your children have learned how to count, that is the perfect time for you teach them the real meaning of money. You should be consistent and explain to them in simple ways and do this frequently so that they may be able to remember what you taught them.

2. Always explain to them the value of saving money. Make them understand its importance and how it will impact their life. It is important that you entertain questions from them about money and you should be able to answer them right away.

3. When giving them their allowances. You need to give them their allowances in denominations. Then you can encourage them that they should keep a certain bill for the future. You can motivate them to do this by telling them that the money can be saved and they can buy new pair of shoes or the toys they want once they are able to save.

4. You can also teach them to work for money. You can start this at your own home. You can pay them fifty cents to one dollar every time they clean their rooms, do the dishes or feed their pets. This concept of earning little money will make them think that money is something they have worked for and should be spent wisely.

5. You can teach them to save money by giving them piggy banks where they can put coins and wait until they get full. You can also open bank accounts for them and let them deposit money from their allowance. You should always show them how much they have earned to keep them motivated.

Money and saving is not something that is learned by children in one sitting. You should be patient in teaching them and relating the value of money in all of their activities. Children will learn this easily if you are patient and consistent in guiding them and encouraging them in this endeavor.

Norleen Gray

Reuters - China opened the world’s longestcross-sea bridge last week aiming to cut travel time betweentwo major ports, but hundreds of drivers have been finedalready for, unexpectedly, driving too slow to enjoy the view.

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TAMPA, FL - Each year, millions of Americans move into the home of their dreams. As time goes by, families expand, kids grow older, and suddenly that home isn’t quite so perfect anymore. Or perhaps you still love your home, but you really want a gourmet kitchen and a larger master bedroom. Should you start looking for a new house? Or would it be better to stay where you are and remodel instead?

Both options involve a significant investment of time and money, so it’s important to take your time and make an informed decision. You’ll also want to be sure to consider both the financial and the emotional sides of the equation. Let’s begin by examining the financial factors involved.

Moving: A good local real estate agent should be able to assist you with estimates on these numbers.

? How much will it cost to purchase a home that will meet your needs?

? How much could you sell your existing home for? Don’t forget to subtract the agent’s commission from this total.

? What will it cost to move? According to real estate consultant and best-selling author of Remodel or Move, Dan Fritschen, a typical move costs 10% of the value of your home.

? How much will your property taxes increase as a result of the move?

Remodeling:

? What projects do you want to have done and how much will they cost? An architect or general contractor will be able to assist you with these figures.

? How much will the improvements add to the value of your home, also known as the payback ? A local real estate agent can assist with this as well.

If the decision about whether to renovate or move were purely a financial one, then it would be quite easy to look at the numbers and come to the right conclusion. However, there are also emotional factors that come into play, and they have a value as well. Let’s consider some examples.

Reasons you may want to move:

? If you relocate to a new neighborhood, your children could attend superior schools.

? You would like to reduce your commute or have better access to local amenities, such as restaurants and shopping.

? You’re not particularly fond of your current neighborhood.

? Your yard is too small, and you cannot expand it.

Reasons you may want to stay and remodel:

? You’re happy with your location. It’s convenient, you love your neighbors, and the schools are either excellent or are not a factor.

? You love the layout of your home.

? All you need is a little more space, and your home will be perfect.

Of course only you know what is truly important for your happiness, so try to use these questions as a starting point. Create a list of the pros and cons of each scenario and leave it someplace accessible, so that you and your spouse can add to it as you think of additional factors. You may also want to consider attending open houses and visiting new housing developments to see what is available and how your home compares.

Once you’ve completed your list and your financial assessment, it’s time to draw some conclusions. Are the numbers and the emotional factors pointing you in a clear direction? If you’re still feeling unsure and would like some additional assistance, you may want to read Dan Fritschen’s book, Remodel or Move, or visit his website at www.remodelormove.com. Both contain a calculator that will assist you with the difficult task of quantifying the ramifications of your decision. In addition, you can learn tips to assist you with the next step, after you’ve determined what it will be.

If you choose to remodel, then you’ll need to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish before finalizing any details with the contractor or architect. One of the most expensive things you can do is change the project midstream.

If you decide to move, then there are low-cost improvements you can make to your existing home that will help it to sell more quickly. The kitchen and the bathrooms provide the biggest return on investment in this area.

Whether you decide to remodel or buy a new home, it’s important to ensure that you have proper financing in place prior to moving forward. If you decide to purchase a home, a mortgage originator will help you to determine how much you can afford, as well as which loan package works best with your overall financial plan. In the case of remodeling, you should meet with a mortgage professional before any construction takes place. Otherwise you may severely limit the type of financing options available to you.

Additional Resources:
Remodel or Move?: Make the Right Decision, by Dan Fritschen

Leah Ross is affiliated with AmeriFirst Home Mortgage, a Licensed Mortgage Lender, State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation. If you would like to receive a FREE CD with tips from real estate consultant and best-selling author, Dan Fritschen, please contact Leah Ross at 813-643-8430 or visit www.amerifirstflorida.com http://www.amerifirstflorida.com .

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How would the experience of annual celebrations of outstanding films amidst the idyllic tropical settings of Bahamas be for an international audience? Well, nothing short of ‘brilliant’! And needless to say, the 3rd Annual Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) 2006, about to take place from December 7-10 will have all the necessary components to catch the fancy of the international media with its brilliant film screenings coupled with the nation’s tropical beauty and cultural charms that the festival attendees will be able to indulge in. With able support and close assistance of the Founding Sponsors Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and the Islands of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the three-day long festivities in the international film festival circuit will kick-off at the Atlantis Theatre, Paradise Island and at Galleria 6 JFK in Nassau, the two cultural hubs of Bahamas. Programs, panels, and gala parties to be held at various locations around Nassau and Paradise Island are supposed to be essential elements of this unique and gorgeous event. Above all, the most strikingly beautiful part of the whole event is that it is available and accessible to visitors and Bahamians alike.

In its mission statement, the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) claims that the festival organizers are committed to exhibiting unique films that showcase truly international themes. Films that focus on combining both enjoyment and thought provoking concepts via the cinematic arts are more than welcome as entrants. Leslie Vanderpool, the Founder & Executive Director of BIFF says that while they have screened hundreds of films from all over the world and from all Diaspora, they will be showcasing a slate of fifty narrative, documentary and short films over the festival’s four days.

A truly unique and special attraction of the Bahamas film festival event will be the star-value of actor Nicolas Cage, who is an Oscar winner and a Bahamian resident. He will be present in the spectacular event as a recipient of the Career Achievement Tribute sponsored by Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch (LODH). What more, the much talked-about BIFF Tribute Chopard Award will also be presented at a gala event at the Atlantis Theatre at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Casino to Mr. Cage by Sir Sean Connery, his co-star in “The Rock.”

This gala attraction is due on Friday, December 8.

News: Spotflix.com http://Spotflix.com

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Reuters - China opened the world’s longestcross-sea bridge last week aiming to cut travel time betweentwo major ports, but hundreds of drivers have been finedalready for, unexpectedly, driving too slow to enjoy the view.

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