BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Battle of the Brands: Netflix vs. Blockbuster]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/08/battle-of-the-brands-netflix-vs-blockbuster/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/08/battle-of-the-brands-netflix-vs-blockbuster/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/08/battle-of-the-brands-netflix-vs-blockbuster/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This post is part of our Battle of the Brands feature. Let us know which brand you prefer, and check out other Battle of the Brands posts.

Way back when, the movie-rental wars were fought between the neighborhood video stores (which had limited availability) and the superchain Blockbuster (NYSE: BBI) (which had limited availability except for the Die Hard series). Then, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) came along with an amazing business model. Set up an account online, build a mammoth list of movies (from tens of thousands available), receive a few in the mail and send them back when you're done -- no late fees, but you only got new movies when you sent old ones back.

At the time, Blockbuster -- and many consumers -- didn't think it would work. First of all, you had to wait a day or two to get new movies; and second of all, who was going to want to deal with sending movies back in the mail? I mean, gosh. Well, eventually, Blockbuster caved and started the same kind of service. When you compare the two, however, which one takes the cake?

What Netlix Offers: For $16.99, you receive three DVDs in the mail. These movies come from the top of the personliazed list you create on the Netflix site. Delivery times vary, but local distribution centers can usually get them to you in two days. You can keep these DVDs as long as you want; but, if you never return them you never get anything new. Which is a real bummer when I Am Legend is gathering dust on your TV set. After you've watched one, or more, send it back in the provided postage-paid envelope. Within a few days, your next movie arrives in the mail. As of now, Netflix offers a total of nine (9) membership plans, from one-at-a-time to eignt-at-a-time. You can also purchase DVDs through the site, in addition to watching certain movies for free.

Continue reading Battle of the Brands: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

Battle of the Brands: Netflix vs. Blockbuster originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 May 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battle of the BrandsBBIBlockbusterlate feesmovie rentalsNetflixNFLXThu, 08 May 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Brands: Apple vs. Dell]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/08/battle-of-the-brands-apple-vs-dell/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/08/battle-of-the-brands-apple-vs-dell/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/08/battle-of-the-brands-apple-vs-dell/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This post is part of our Battle of the Brands feature. Let us know which brand you prefer, and check out other Battle of the Brands posts.

Going by ad campaigns alone, you would think that every person -- or, at least every cool person -- had abandoned their Windows PCs and hoisted themselves onto the Macintosh bandwagon. Not so. The truth is that PCs far outnumber Macs in the market. The big-business worlds of finance, law, medicine use predominantly PC, while the areas of video production, web design and art use Mac. These computers do most of the same things (play games and DVDs, word-process, create web pages, store and play music) but they are completely different operating systems. Even though Apple computers now include the Intel processor that makes it possible to use Windows-only applications, it can still be hard to compare products.

But what about the companies themselves? What does the Apple brand signify that the Dell brand does not? And vice versa.

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL): Providing innovative products and a user-friendly interface, Apple has turned the whole computer thing into a fashion accessory. For someone who used Dell products for years and then switched to Mac, the difference is like night and day. A Mac is so easy to use. With a clean interface, a near-universal compatibility with external products and tools, these computers are a beautiful breeze. And now that Macs include Intel processors, one can switch back and forth between a Windows interface and a Mac interface, making previous incompatibilities (software, games, etc.) now perfectly compatible. And when it comes to customer service (see below) Apple really socks the house.

Continue reading Battle of the Brands: Apple vs. Dell

Battle of the Brands: Apple vs. Dell originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 May 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleBattle of the BrandsDelliPodlaptopsMacsPCsRadioShackWindowsThu, 08 May 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[At all costs: Avoid these insurance policies]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/27/at-all-costs-avoid-these-insurance-policies/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/27/at-all-costs-avoid-these-insurance-policies/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/27/at-all-costs-avoid-these-insurance-policies/#commentsFiled under: ,

With all the insurance plans available (including insurance policies for insurance policies), you might want to take a moment to really think: Do I need "Inconvenience Insurance?"

If you have a fear of being inconvenienced, maybe. But, for most people, it's probably a lot more helpful to know which plans just don't make fiscal sense.

AOL Money & Finance has a new feature that clears the air (and dishes the dirt) on the insurance policies you must absolutely avoid. Or, at least think over carefully before acquiring. For example:

Identity Theft Insurance: Don't bother, says Consumer Reports. Just check your credit report regularly.

Extended Warranties: If you total your car, it won't make a lick of difference, since insurance companies will only give you the Blue Book value.

Inconvenience Insurance: Yep, you heard it right. If it rains on your vacation or you lose your iPod, you could strike it rich. Or, something like that. Avoid it.

On the subject of insurance, however, you might take some advice from WalletPop's Tracy Coenen, who says liability insurance is worth it, especially for consultants (legal, technical, etc.). Why? Because everybody makes mistakes.

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

At all costs: Avoid these insurance policies originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>extended car warrantyExtendedCarWarrantyidentity theft insuranceIdentityTheftInsuranceinconvenience insuranceInconvenienceInsuranceWed, 27 Feb 2008 15:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Money Winners of 2007: The Richest Dog in America]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/15/money-winners-of-2007-the-richest-dog-in-america/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/15/money-winners-of-2007-the-richest-dog-in-america/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/15/money-winners-of-2007-the-richest-dog-in-america/#commentsOn August 28 of this year, a white Maltese named Trouble inherited a trust fund worth $12 million dollars. Who would leave such a staggering amount to a dog? Why, Leona Helmsley, of course. The hotel and real estate mogul, who was convicted of tax evasion in 1988, left millions to her brother, children and grandchildren, though none of her human relations made out as well as her canine companion.

While Trouble is a certifiable Money Winner of 2007, life as a whole has not been peaches and cream for the little dog, who has received death threats and been the target of a lawsuit by an ex-housekeeper who claims the little pup "bit her repeatedly" while she tried to clean Ms. Helmsey's lavish apartment in the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel.

However, while awaiting the results of the trial, Trouble will continue to live a pampered life in Florida, enjoying meals prepared by a gourmet chef, scheduled grooming and constant protection by security guards, all at the cost of $300,000 a year.

It is certainly a dog's life.

Be sure to check out more Money Winners of 2007.

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Money Winners of 2007: The Richest Dog in America originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 15 Dec 2007 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Sat, 15 Dec 2007 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Money Winners of 2007: David Beckham takes over the Galaxy]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/15/money-winners-of-2007-david-beckham-takes-over-the-galaxy/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/15/money-winners-of-2007-david-beckham-takes-over-the-galaxy/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/15/money-winners-of-2007-david-beckham-takes-over-the-galaxy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Soccer star David Beckham English soccer star David Beckham came to America earlier this year, joining the Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy with a base salary of $5.5 million and guaranteed compensation of $6,5 million, making him by far the highest paid soccer player in the United States. Throw in some marketing opportunities and profit-sharing options offered by team investor Anschutz Entertainment Group, and he's in a league of his own: Nearly 30 percent of MLS players are paid either $17,700 or $12,900.

Beckham's former team, Real Madrid, had paid him nearly $32 million annually. So, why the move for less money? Beckham is not just an athlete, but a fairly successful pitchman. His biggest endorsement, Gillette, pays him an estimated $9 million for three years, and he also lends his image to Pepsico (NYSE: PEP) products, Vodafone (NYSE: VOD), Adidas and -- yep -- Brylcream. Playing around the United States will give him a higher profile in the only market he hasn't conquered yet: ours.

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Be sure to check out more Money Winners of 2007.



Continue reading Money Winners of 2007: David Beckham takes over the Galaxy

Money Winners of 2007: David Beckham takes over the Galaxy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 15 Dec 2007 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdidasAnschutz Entertainment GroupBrylcreamDavid BeckhamGilletteLos Angeles GalaxyPEPPepsicoReal MadridVODVodafoneSat, 15 Dec 2007 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Googie architecture: When Jetsons ruled the Earth]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/03/googie-architecture-when-jetsons-ruled-the-earth/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/03/googie-architecture-when-jetsons-ruled-the-earth/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/03/googie-architecture-when-jetsons-ruled-the-earth/#commentsFiled under:

Googie -- an architectural movement popular in the 1950s -- epitomized an era during which people really believed that, by 2001, we'd live on Lunar Colonies, as opposed to Thomas Kinkade colonies. But no regrets, especially considering the Googie relics that have survived the cruel seventies, eighties and nineties now stand proud among our own generation's roadside architectural achievements, such as Costco.

Also called Space Age, Coffee House Modern, Doo-Wop, and (for some reason) Populuxe, Googie architecture was just one of many oddball roadside styles to emerge 60 years ago, along with Tiki (in which coconut-shell cocktails with straws were obligatory) and Mimetic Architecture, in which the buildings were shaped like the products they sold. Googie, named after a Los Angeles coffee shop that pioneered the design, and characterized by its bright rectangular signs, industrial effects and arching rooflines, was intended -- like all Roadside Architecture -- to capture the attention of motorists cruising along at 20mph sipping Moscow Mules in their Ford Fairlanes. Which was good times.

Continue reading Googie architecture: When Jetsons ruled the Earth

Googie architecture: When Jetsons ruled the Earth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 20:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googielee beyLeeBeymimetic structureMimeticStructuretikiTue, 03 Apr 2007 20:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Money Shots: Where mortgage rates are headed in 2007]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/30/money-shots-where-mortgage-rates-are-headed-in-2007/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/30/money-shots-where-mortgage-rates-are-headed-in-2007/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/30/money-shots-where-mortgage-rates-are-headed-in-2007/#commentsFiled under:

It's the biggest debt you'll assume in your lifetime -- unless you marry Heather Mills without a prenup -- and there are many different choices: There's the 30-year fixed rate, the 15-year ARM, the one-year ARM, the no-documentation loan (for the self-employed), the interest-only mortgage (for the lavishly self-employed) and many others.

If you have absolutely no idea which mortgage would work best for you, Bankrate.com provides a blow-by-blow Mortgage Match to help you decide. Like, if you're only going to carry the loan for five years, you might consider a 5/25 hybrid loan; and then, if you decide to stick around, just refinance. Who says life is never easy?

Before you answer, take a look at where mortgage interest rates are headed this year.

Continue reading Money Shots: Where mortgage rates are headed in 2007

Money Shots: Where mortgage rates are headed in 2007 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Money Shots: Your tax refund, made to order]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/27/money-shots-your-tax-refund-made-to-order/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/27/money-shots-your-tax-refund-made-to-order/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/27/money-shots-your-tax-refund-made-to-order/#commentsFiled under:

We live in a great country.

If you want a kosher Dunkin Donut, you got it. If you want to spend $15 for a Bed Head, you can. And if you want to lay on a hammock in your neighbor's yard naked, last time I checked, it's still a free country.

If only the IRS would loosen up a little. In fact, some folks are so wary of this pitiless branch of government, they won't even claim their refunds: According to a new AOL Money & Finance feature, unclaimed refunds exceeding $2.2 billion are sitting in the IRS coffers.

And which cities are the most afraid to file? Based on Intuit reports, the ultimate Tax Procrastinating States list has been released. If you're from Houston, you win!

But wait. Maybe the IRS has loosened up a little. As Kiplinger Editorial Director Kevin McCormally tells it, "this year the IRS is taking a cue from Burger King and letting you have your refund your way." What he means is, in the past you could either get your refund as a single check or as a single electronic deposit. Now you can get it direct-deposited into three different accounts. Want to see how?

Continue reading Money Shots: Your tax refund, made to order

Money Shots: Your tax refund, made to order originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 Mar 2007 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>IRSTax ReturnsTaxReturnsTue, 27 Mar 2007 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Money Shots: Preparing for a boomer retirement]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/23/money-shots-preparing-for-a-boomer-retirement/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/23/money-shots-preparing-for-a-boomer-retirement/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/23/money-shots-preparing-for-a-boomer-retirement/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This year, the first of the baby boomers -- those born during the high birth-rate years after World War II -- turned 60, and they continue to do so at a rate of 8,000 per day. Aside from the obvious boost to the Elastic Waistband industry, what does this news really signify? Answer: A large swath of the population will soon be lounging around Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:SBUX) all day reading Dean Koontz novels.

But not so fast, people. Mary Beth Franklin, a senior editor at Kiplinger's, says you have to get real if you want a comfortable retirement. Take Social Security checks, for example. While not going away, she says, "they're not going to look like today's checks." They might only be exchangeable for dollar coins.

Furthermore, as pensions continue to freeze -- leaving up-to-date savings intact, but preventing further additions -- it's a good time to apply some common sense, ingenuity and discipline to your retirement planning.

In the following video feature, Ms. Franklin details what you need to be saving and how to save it:




B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Money Shots: Preparing for a boomer retirement originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baby boomersBabyBoomersretirementsbuxFri, 23 Mar 2007 11:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Top five expensive ways to live cheap]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/20/top-five-expensive-ways-to-live-cheap/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/20/top-five-expensive-ways-to-live-cheap/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/20/top-five-expensive-ways-to-live-cheap/#commentsFiled under:

In Guy de Maupassant's story 'The Necklace,' the main character -- a woman of modest means -- is invited to a fancy ball and, for the occasion, borrows a diamond necklace from a wealthy friend. Somehow she loses the necklace. Embarrassed, she purchases a similar string of diamonds and returns it to the wealthy friend without mentioning the loss of the original. For the rest of her life she works like a dog to pay for the necklace. Years later she runs into the wealthy friend, who says, yo, those diamonds were fake. And they all have a big laugh about it.

The story reveals two undeniable truths: (1) Some people just have no business going to a fancy ball and (2) Rich people can actually be kind of cheap. And some rich people -- like Mary-Kate Olsen (pictured) -- go to great lengths to look cheap.

A recent feature from Smartmoney.com -- Top Five Cheap Ways to Live Like the Rich -- gives a few pointers on how to land the high-end look without spending a lot. Like, for instance, instead of buying a new Marc Jacobs bag ... rent one! I know, not the same -- but, seriously, is this how the rich really live? Does someone who makes $100,000 a week -- like Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis -- not shudder even a little while ringing up a $3,295 Donna Karan halter dress with some $675 Valentino platforms?

Celebrities go the (borrowed) Oscar de la Renta route for awards shows, but the rest of the time they look like they might scalp bus transfers. In that sense, spending lots of money to look rich is a contradiction in terms. For those saving up for Jimmy Choo stilettos no rich person would be caught dead wearing, there has got to be a more strategic way to spend money. Because, think about it: for the $9,000 you could spend waiting in line for the spinning tea-cups ride during a week at Disney World you could rent -- for two months -- Tuscany's Villa Calcinaia: a nine-bedroom palazzo with an infinity pool and an unlimited supply of wine. Where did we go so wrong?

On that note, here are five ways to spend gobs of money with extremely cheap results:


Continue reading Top five expensive ways to live cheap

Top five expensive ways to live cheap originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>smartmoney.comTue, 20 Mar 2007 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Hate thy neighbor? You're not alone]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/15/hate-thy-neighbor-youre-not-alone/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/15/hate-thy-neighbor-youre-not-alone/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/15/hate-thy-neighbor-youre-not-alone/#commentsFiled under:

Years ago, in a self-help book, I read about a Chicago-area man who unknowingly bought a house on an O'Hare flight path. Though miles from the airport, planes droned right above his roof. Of course, this upset him very much. Every time he heard the screaming engines it compounded his humiliation, discomfort and anxiety. One day, however, he decided to seize the day: He got a bucket of white paint, a ladder, climbed onto his roof and wrote in big letters "Welcome to Cleveland!"

The moral of the story, I'm guessing, is that if someone parks his boat in front of your house, if your neighbor's car alarm goes off repeatedly at 2 a.m., or if a local teen occasionally micturates upon your lawn, realize that the frustration is, you know, all in your head.

Just don't say that on the AOL message boards: In their cantankerous Neighbors From Hell forum, folks are hashing out all kinds of issues. From the mundane ("my neighbor has a hedge that extends into my yard a good foot or more that she does not trim") to the worrisome ("my neighbor secretly listens to my phone calls") to the downright frightening ("my neighbor lays on a hammock in my front yard ... nude!").

For those who need the visual, they've put together a sildeshow of favorites, including the neighbor who runs a cabinet-making business from his garage.

Continue reading Hate thy neighbor? You're not alone

Hate thy neighbor? You're not alone originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Money Shots: For some billionaires, there's no place like home]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/13/money-shots-for-some-billionaires-theres-no-place-like-home/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/13/money-shots-for-some-billionaires-theres-no-place-like-home/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/13/money-shots-for-some-billionaires-theres-no-place-like-home/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When Forbes.com staff writer, Matt Woolsey, embarked on his exposé of billionaire homes, he noticed an interesting pattern: most billionaires, though they have the means to live anywhere, choose to live at home. Or, at least close to home. And some -- like Microsoft Corp.'s (NASDAQ:MSFT) co-founder Paul Allen -- choose to live with their mothers.

But let's start with Bill Gates, ranked No. 1 on Forbes Billionaires' List and valued at $56 billion. His 66,000-square foot Medina, Wash., hillside compound features a "1,000-square foot dining room, domed roof library ... 60-foot pool and five acres of space." Not only that, according to Woolsey, Gates' home has secret passageways and antechambers, hidden bookshelves and a framed Harry Potter Junior Wizards official membership certificate.

Paul Allen, meanwhile, lives with his mom. To be clear, his Mercer Island, Wash., compound -- which includes his own 10,000-square foot mansion -- has a separate home for his mother. Apparently, she held him to his "one-day-when-I'm-a-billionaire" promise.

Continue reading Money Shots: For some billionaires, there's no place like home

Money Shots: For some billionaires, there's no place like home originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Mar 2007 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplapplebill gatesBillGatesbrk.kdellmichael dellMichaelDellmicrosoftmsftsteve jobsSteveJobswarren buffettWarrenBuffettTue, 13 Mar 2007 14:08:00 EST<![CDATA[The stock-picking monkey better watch his back]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/09/the-stock-picking-monkey-better-watch-his-back/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/09/the-stock-picking-monkey-better-watch-his-back/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/09/the-stock-picking-monkey-better-watch-his-back/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Now that we know Bill Gates limits his kids' computer use -- including interactive gardening games (whatever those are exactly) -- it's certain our country's 8-year-olds are at a crossroads: How will they spend their one hour-a-day on-line? If you said E*Trade, you win.

Fielding e-mails recently, MarketWatch's Paul B. Farrell heard from a reader interested in strategies for the 'super small' investor; you know, "specific funds and allocations" for someone with only about $10,000 to work with. So Mr. Ferrell referred to an investor who, it just so happens, is a second-grader.

Kevin Roth, the 8-year-old son of a Colorado Springs financial planner, recently got "a gift" from his grandmother (who apparently sent one of those super-sized money-holding Hallmark cards), along with some advice from his father, and bought shares in three Vanguard funds -- Vanguard Total Stock Market Index (VTSMX), Vanguard Total International Stock Index (VGTSX), and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX) -- which is more practical than a Nintendo Wii, but come on.

Kevin exemplifies Mr. Farrell's 'Lazy Investing' strategy, which favors a safe, patient approach: "Unless you're working full-time in the financial world, you don't have the skills, tools, information, time or interest in playing the market," he says. "And even if you do play the market, the odds are you'll lose because the more you trade the less you earn; transaction costs and taxes kill returns. So... being a lazy investor is the best defensive strategy."

Kevin's strategy, says Mr. Farrell, "not only beat the S&P 500 by two percentage points last year... it actually beat all five of our lazy portfolios in 2006."

But I know what you're thinking: What about the stock picking monkey? The Chicago Sun-Times' in-house stock expert -- a 35-year-old cinnamon-ring tail cebus monkey from Brazil -- has for the past four years not only beat the S&P 500, not only beat any 'Lazy Investor' strategy, but he's totally housebroken and loves football. He only roots for the Bears, though.

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

The stock-picking monkey better watch his back originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Lazy InvestingLazyInvestingPaul FarrellPaulFarrellVanguardVanguard Total Bond Market IndexVanguard Total Internatiional Stock IndexVanguard Total Stocjk Market IndexVanguardTotalBondMarketIndexVanguardTotalInternatiionalStockIndexVanguardTotalStocjkMarketIndexVBMFXVGTSXVTSMXFri, 09 Mar 2007 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Denver's mechanical panhandlers fight homelessness]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/07/denvers-mechanical-panhandlers-fight-homelessness/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/07/denvers-mechanical-panhandlers-fight-homelessness/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/07/denvers-mechanical-panhandlers-fight-homelessness/#commentsFiled under:

According to Denver's CBS affiliate, the city has come up with a clever idea to (a) help the homeless and (b) recycle old parking meters.

Placed in strategic spots downtown -- including "blighted" Skyline Park (a member of the Project for Public Spaces' Hall of Shame) -- newly refurbished parking meters are encouraging people to deposit money they would otherwise have given to panhandlers. Proceeds will go to "organizations that provide meals, job training, substance abuse counseling and housing to the homeless."

And just in time: The Colorado Division of Housing claims an estimated total of 16,203 homeless people, one-third being children and teenagers. In addition, a summer survey revealed, "up to 5,200 children and teenagers were homeless the night of Aug. 28, 2006, according to new finalized figures."

Mayor John Hickenlooper -- Chairman of the National Association of Mayors With Memorable Names -- said in a statement, "Denver's 10-year plan to end homelessness, what we call Denver's road home, has really become a national model. I think we've had the greatest success in getting the whole community to buy in, to believe this is something we can tackle as a community."

This week, 36 of the so-called homeless meters were unveiled.

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Denver's mechanical panhandlers fight homelessness originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coloradocolorado division of housingColoradoDivisionOfHousinghomelessnessparking metersParkingMetersWed, 07 Mar 2007 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[The worst place to hide money? Ask a burglar]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/07/the-worst-place-to-hide-money-ask-a-burglar/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/07/the-worst-place-to-hide-money-ask-a-burglar/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/07/the-worst-place-to-hide-money-ask-a-burglar/#commentsFiled under:

fridge: good for magnets, not for valuablesNot long after his interview with a burglar on the best place to hide money in your home, the editor of PF Advice ran into this very same thief at, of all places, a cocktail party. Who invited the burglar, I don't know. But eager for a follow-up to this very popular feature -- which brought out the Dirty Harry in some of our BloggingStocks readers -- and holding tight onto his wallet, the editor convinced the man to divulge further secrets of the Fraternal Order of Burglars.

Specifically he wondered, since we already know the best place to hide money (answer: a Mr. Potato Head), what's the worst place?

"Ninety-nine percent of the burglars on the street aren't like the ones you see in the movies where stealing is their chosen profession," says the burglar. "They are motivated by more sinister reasons. They are part of organized crime, they are part of a gang or, as in my case at the time, they are drug addicts."

Now I feel better. But his point, of course, is that these chemically dependent prowlers have a very different sense of the term "valuables," and that you should "think like a burglar" before hiding your money in a spot where he's most likely to look for drugs. "All burglars have habits," he continues, "and there were certain places I always checked for a specific reason -- I was a drug addict. I'm sure that other burglars have their particular search areas beyond the obvious drawers and closets, but I bet that most search these areas, too."

So that you never have your money mistaken for a bag of hash, here are the burglar's top five places not to hide your valuables:

Continue reading The worst place to hide money? Ask a burglar

The worst place to hide money? Ask a burglar originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burglarWed, 07 Mar 2007 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Ay caramba: Pizza chain makes peso policy permanent]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/05/ay-caramba-pizza-chain-makes-peso-policy-permanent/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/05/ay-caramba-pizza-chain-makes-peso-policy-permanent/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/05/ay-caramba-pizza-chain-makes-peso-policy-permanent/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For those still fuming over Pizza Patron's "Pizza for Pesos" program, the fun continues. The Dallas-based chain, which had drawn the ire of an untold number of currency purists, announced that its policy would become permanent.

In early January, Pizza Patron -- with 60 stores spread across Texas, Arizona and Colorado -- began a two-month trial period during which they accepted Mexican currency at 12 per U.S. dollar (the current rate being approximately 11 to 1) to honor their Hispanic patrons, which they claim account for 60% of their business.

What resulted exactly from this progressive and inclusive policy? People pretty much lost their cool.

The restaurant reported a deluge of critical e-mails, including death threats, and inadvertently threw their hat into the hostile immigration debate. "This is the United States of America, not the United States of Mexico," one critical e-mail read. "Quit catering to the damn illegal Mexicans," demanded another.

While most businesses along the Mexican and Canadian borders welcome foreign currencies as a courtesy, Pizza Patron's restaurants stretch as far away as Denver, intensifying the debate. Said Patricia Perez, a partner at L.A. public relations firm Valencia, Perez & Echeveste, "Right now there's a lot of anti-immigrant rhetoric going around that could make them a lightning rod."

From an undisclosed location, Pizza Patron founder and CEO Antonio Swad (who, incidentally, is Italian/Lebanese) said in a statement, "What the pesos for pizza program is intended to do is reinforce our brand promise - as the premier U.S. Latino brand.... We have carved this niche in the pizza industry to compete and serve an underserved market - the Latino customer, not to make any political statement."

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Ay caramba: Pizza chain makes peso policy permanent originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>illegal immigrantsIllegalImmigrantsimmigrantsmexicopatronpesopesospizzpizzapizza patronPizzaPatronMon, 05 Mar 2007 17:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Get rich quick: Learn how to fix your own car]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/02/get-rich-quick-learn-how-to-fix-your-own-car/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/02/get-rich-quick-learn-how-to-fix-your-own-car/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/02/get-rich-quick-learn-how-to-fix-your-own-car/#commentsFiled under:

Just imagine: Your car begins to stall and you pull into the auto repair shop. After a prolonged examination, the mechanic says, "it's your transmission." You reply, "let's have a look." You lift the hood, dig around and say, "there, it was just a detached spark plug." Then, you spend the money you saved on a sweet new set of 14" diamond cut-out chrome spinner hubcaps.

Yes, this could be you. In a recent article, SmartMoney.com offers some guidance on car independence, with Five Auto Repair Shop Tricks, one of which claims that sometimes, when the mechanic has no idea what's wrong, he'll randomly replace parts. According to the story, these so-called parts-replacers "just don't have the knowledge to properly diagnose car troubles ... but some are purposely lax, banking on the idea that you'll keep coming in to get more work done."

Whether or not you suspect your auto repair shop is not exactly 100 percent honest, it's good to have a general understanding of how your four-wheel money pit works. DoItYourself.com, which has categories on how to do practically anything on your own -- including get a divorce -- has a fairly detailed section on auto repair, with such a comprehensive database on clamps and hangers, belts and fuel lines, radiators and filters, that you may just decide, you know, I'd rather pay to have this done.

But you can always count on YouTube's Backyard Mechanics, who in the following video demonstrate exactly how to change the oil on your Dodge Intrepid. (Warning: Content may include flannel shirts and/or excessive facial hair):




B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Get rich quick: Learn how to fix your own car originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>smart moneySmartMoneyYouTubeFri, 02 Mar 2007 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Money Shots: Why you definitely won't get audited]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/02/money-shots-why-you-definitely-wont-get-audited/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/02/money-shots-why-you-definitely-wont-get-audited/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/03/02/money-shots-why-you-definitely-wont-get-audited/#commentsFiled under:

It's tax season again, and that means one thing: confusion. But before you stress over listing your Chia Pet as a dependent, keep in mind that, unless you're flat-out cheating on your taxes, the likelihood you'll get audited is pretty slim. Just don't run off to Namibia.

"The fact of the matter is, very few returns are audited -- fewer than one in 150," says Kiplinger Editorial Director Kevin McCormally. "And what gets the IRS's attention is if you put something on your return that paints a strange picture of you." I'm thinking, like, listing a hybrid vehicle credit for your Segway. But, really, this video explains it better:




AOL Money & Finance can help further, with this list of 10 Common Tax Mistakes to Avoid, like "don't forget to sign your name at the bottom of your return."

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Money Shots: Why you definitely won't get audited originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auditstaxesFri, 02 Mar 2007 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Lawsuits you didn't know you paid for]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/28/lawsuits-you-didnt-know-you-paid-for/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/28/lawsuits-you-didnt-know-you-paid-for/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/28/lawsuits-you-didnt-know-you-paid-for/#commentsFiled under: , ,

On November 23, 1985 -- during Pee-Wee Herman's golden era -- actor Paul Reubens hosted NBC's Saturday Night Live, and participated in a skit where his beloved Dinosaur Town Theme Park, threatened by foreclosure, needed a fast $1 million to stay afloat. Pee-Wee's solution: Find a mouse in a Coke bottle. With help from his pals, he dumps bottle after bottle of Coke into a basin until they find that elusive mouse. And when they find him -- yep -- The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)'s men in black burst in with a briefcase full of money. Dang, those 80s.

For some, the joke has not aged well. Especially considering that in this day and age, in this fair country, Montana resident Bob Craft can not only change his name to Jack Ass, but also sue Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA)'s MTV franchise Jackass for "defaming his good character."

Mr. Ass, who changed his name to "raise awareness about the dangers of drunken driving" also sued for copyright infringement on a certain "Andi Ass," a cartoon created for his campaign. AOL Money & Finance has compiled a nice directory of this and other insane lawsuits, which we can all laugh at for a little while; that is, until we realize that one way or another we're paying for them.

According to Citizens Against Law Abuse, each of us, every year without realizing it, pays $1,200 to cover lawsuit abuse. "No matter who you are or what you do, lawsuit abuse affects your life in numerous ways.... Paying more for prescription drugs, doctors' visits, groceries or household items in general? Some of those higher costs can be traced directly to lawsuits or their threat."

Of course, litigation attorneys and citizens' rights organizations claim that lawsuits protect consumers and create a safer environment. Which is true in a sense. However, according to CALA, "less than half of the liability dollar ever goes to anyone injured -- the rest goes to lawyer fees and court costs."

What's a concerned citizen to do? SickofLawsuits.org says to contact your legislator, and provides a link to make your voice heard. But, if you don't want to rock the boat, here are some funny lawyer jokes.

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Lawsuits you didn't know you paid for originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lawyersWed, 28 Feb 2007 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Stock Pics: Get ready for photos of dejected traders]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/27/stock-pics-get-ready-for-photos-of-dejected-traders/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/27/stock-pics-get-ready-for-photos-of-dejected-traders/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/27/stock-pics-get-ready-for-photos-of-dejected-traders/#commentsFiled under: , ,

America is officially 3% poorer. And how can we be sure? The images, suddenly everywhere, of blue-smocked men with hernia vests who look like they just lost the biggest Yahtzee game of their lives. Now, keep in mind that some of these images are (a) old and (b) from American Idol pin-up Antonella Barba's friends. Which is fine. As long as they sell the story, express the regret, heal the wounds.

To prepare the nation for the deluge of these angst-ridden, Dippity-Do users, here are a few standard examples with short, hard-hitting analyses of their methods, reasoning and effect.

The Scream (left): No, this is not a Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE:BBY) employee. It's a stock trader, and he's livid. Now, if he just had a white envelope and one of Johnny Carson's "Carnac the Magnificent" hats, we'd be laughing. But he doesn't. So that's just tough.

Hi Mom, I'm Poor (above right): You won't see a lot like this. He's too relaxed. But do note he's behind a gate, which means angry people are on the way.

Running Away (left): Seriously, it's just money. I mean, just because the Dow dropped 500 points or whatever doesn't mean the guy can't hang up his pencils and sleep on it. Wait, are those foot marks on his back?

Staying Strong (above right): A textbook image. Shot from below. All-American. Nothing can stop us. Never give up. Actually, this one is from Paris. The haircuts are way too stylish.


B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Stock Pics: Get ready for photos of dejected traders originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:50:00 EST