Banking News Tonight

Bank of America to Charge $5 to Use Debit Cards at Check-Out

The Huffington Post and other media sources is reporting

Bank of America will charge customers $5 per month to use their debit card starting in early 2012, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

The fee will apply to customers who use their debit card to make any purchases during the month, but won't apply to those who only use it for ATM transactions, according to the report. Debit card use is on the rise, according to Digital Transactions. Signature debit card transactions jumped by almost 10 percent between April 2010 and April 2011, the website reported.
- Huffington Post

American First National Bank, Houston, Texas, Assumes All of the Deposits of First International Bank, Plano, Texas

According to a press release from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC),

First International Bank, Plano, Texas, was closed today by the Texas Department of Banking, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with American First National Bank, Houston, Texas, to assume all of the deposits of First International Bank.

The seven branches of First International Bank will reopen during normal business hours beginning Saturday as branches of American First National Bank. Depositors of First International Bank will automatically become depositors of American First National Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship in order to retain their deposit insurance coverage up to applicable limits. Customers of First International Bank should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from American First National Bank that it has completed systems changes to allow other American First National Bank branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of First International Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

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Small Business Credit Cards And The Businesses That Get Them

by Jason Collazo

If you are one of many Americans who own a small business, a credit card at first can come off as a good idea and a great investment. They have overall higher limits than their personal counterparts because as small business owners, they are providing for a business and thus tend to spend more.

Not only that, but these cards tend to encompass certain incentives meant strictly for the small business owner. These can include functions such as employee cards and regular spending statements, as well. And more akin to personal credit cards, there are old standbys like rewards, balance transfers, introductory rates, etc. 

They can also be easy to obtain. Take the year 2009. According to information gathered by the Federal Reserve and presented in the Tulsa World, about 75% of small businesses who filled out credit card applications saw their attempts accepted. 

Compare this to the difficulty of a small business to get either a line of credit or a traditional bank loan.

But if you own a small business, you may not necessarily want to lean on a credit card. 

It helps to have an excellent credit history for your business as a foundation, just like it would your personal life. But how does a business even get a sense of their whole credit history? It depends on a myriad of factors, such as the personal credit histories of the employees, how long the business has existed (it helps to have been around for the minimum of two years), cash flow, business credit histories and lastly other lines of credit.

With all this taken into consideration, you may want to do an in-depth analysis of where your business stands. If your business practices financial responsibility, i.e. making timely payments and keeping positive cash flow in your system, then applying for a card should be no problem.

Although no business honestly wants to think this way, there’s always that nagging question:  what if your business should fail? Unfortunately, it happens, time and time again. And if it should happen to you, what becomes of your card? The applicant then will become personally accountable for all card charges (likely, you).

If the businesses financing becomes problematic, this will reflect upon your account. To avoid this kind of dilemma, you need to have a stable credit history. Check into the terms and conditions of your credit account to see if will be safe, in the case of such an event.

Small businesses cards, on the other hand, have the danger of unsecured loans attached to them. Because this is what they essentially are:  unsecured loans. Defaulting or not paying will lead you down the path to write-offs. 

Also, the CARD Act of 2009 covers personal cards but not business credit cards. So lots of terms that were outlawed against personal cards, have not been outlawed against business credit cards.

If you are a small business owner, take this all into your careful thought before applying for a credit card for your business. 

Yes, you may get what, but then:  now what?

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The Distribution of Magazine Subscriptions

by Jason Collazo

So once a magazine is printed, it's got to be distributed to people who subscribe to it, wherever they may be. Distribution is a key part of the publishing business - and critical to disseminating information around the world.

Market demand determines how many copies of each magazine get distributed as well as where they get sent. If the magazine is popular with a niche audience, then it's more likely to be distributed by subscription. If a magazine is of interest to everyone, it will be made available at most retail stores as well as by subscription, for those who prefer to have the whole package and delivered right to them. 

In other words, there exists a correlation between distribution and subscriptions. A correlation is a relationship that's not pure coincidence. A change in one variable leads to a change in another; it come down to math. This implies that an increase in demand in the market leads to an increase in the amount of magazine subscriptions and heightens the level of distribution.

Magazine distributions can be done in many ways. They include the mail, the various bookstores, newsstands, other vendors, or even pick-up locations in different areas of cities and towns.

There are several categories of circulation, and each involves a different type of distribution. The three primary categories of circulation are:

•        Free circulation

•        Paid circulation

•        Controlled circulation

Free circulation

Magazines circulated at no charge fall into this category. There is no cover price on the front of the magazine, which is a nice bonus for your wallet. Free magazines are usually supported by advertisers or organizations that want to promote their causes. The issues are often handed out in the street or made available at no charge in racks. 

Paid circulation

If readers pay for a magazine, it's counted as paid circulation.  If you subscribe to a magazine through a site offering magazine subscription deals, you'll be counted as paid subscriber. Typically, subscribers receive their magazines by mail, though some might pick up their favorite issues at a newsstand.

Controlled circulation

Sometimes, magazines are circulated only to a select group of people. This is called controlled circulation. This model is generally used by publishers who target specific industries, institutions and other insiders. The information in these magazines is targeted only to those who are interested in it.

It depends on what is best for your individual magazine needs, in the end and where you can afford to distribute money to or even the kind of magazine you want.

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Waiting on the Body Shop

by Kevin Surbaugh

I was suppose to get my car back Friday (or today at the latest). Since I hadn't heard anything I called to check on the status. I was told it was headed to cleaning and then it would have to be checked by quality control. Since I have to be at work this afternoon and work late and then early in the morning it looks like I won't get my car back by today as promised.
As I was writing this I finally got the car that my car was ready. I am so glad to finally get my car back.

It is aggravating and the damage waiver is costing me money I wouldn't be spending if I hadn't been hit. But her insurance doesn't think they need to pay for that. I have shelled out $263 in damage waiver fees through Friday. Meaning I will have to pay for Saturday, Sunday and probably today. Money that in part is coming from the rent money and some from the saved money for the down payment on a new house. Then I will have 4 days to get the car inspected, something I had planned to do the week I got hit.

I really shouldn't be out of pocket for anything, it is not my fault that this lady hit my parked car.

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Be Aware of Nationwide Banking Phishing Scams

by Kevin Surbaugh

Beware! Don’t Be The Next Victim
Banks Nationwide Are Being Hit With Phishing Scams

A Wells Fargo Bank phishing scam has recently targeted victims nationwide. Consumers have been receiving calls and texts from scammers claiming the bank lost their personal information. Receiving this type of call can be alarming and it is nothing more than a ploy used by identity thieves to steal your personal information!

IMPORTANT: Banks and other financial institutions will never contact you by phone, text (or even email) to confirm personal information.

• Use Caution! Avoid becoming a victim and follow these helpful tips.
• Do not share any confidential information through suspicious emails, websites, social media networks, text messages or phone calls.
• Protect your personal and account information, including your online banking username, password, and answers to security questions.
• Never open attachments, click on links, or respond to emails from suspicious or unknown senders.
• Never share your mother’s maiden name, Social Security Number, or Bank Account numbers.
• Do not give out your PIN to anyone.
• Change your username and passwords often.
• Never disclose via text message any personal information.
• To ensure the safety of your personal and account information, download mobile apps from reputable sources only.
• For your security, sign off when you finish using a banking website.

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Reduce Home Mortgage Debts Faster With Better Credit Scores

Guest Post by Ed O'Brien

A home mortgage loan is likely the biggest financial investment a consumer will make in their lifetime, and should really be the only loan you’re willing to go into debt for. It is therefore wise to truly consider how such a huge financial step will impact your current financial situation as well as your future one. Being in debt for the next thirty years is no one’s ideal plan but with a solid credit score as well as a reasonable savings plan set up before obtaining a home loan, you can not only be financially secure, you can also relieve yourself of the mortgage debt in a shorter amount of time.

How Credit Affects Mortgages

A mortgage lender will use a consumer credit score to first determine the eligibility of the loan applicant and then to establish the interest rate the applicant will pay over the life of the loan. With a high credit score, a mortgage loan can be granted at relatively low interest terms. A half of percent can make a difference of tens of thousands over the course of the loan. With a low credit score, borrowers will be subjected to unfavorable interest rates that may become a burden down the road.

If you already have a solid credit score to afford lower interest rates, it may be reasonable for the borrower to pay more money towards their monthly house note as long as fees are not part of the equation for early payoff. By eliminating such a big financial obligation, you will also increase your score. This will serve you well in terms of financial security later in life, especially if you plan to stay in your home for years to come.

The best way to ensure you’re eligible for a low-interest rate mortgage is to start early by checking credit reports and scores from the major credit reporting agencies as soon as you know you want to buy a home. If you find your credit score is not up to par (720 or higher should be your target), take the time to improve scores by paying existing bills on time each month and refraining from applying for new lines of credit before the mortgage loan is complete.

Why Savings Matters

Another way you can reduce the debts of a home mortgage while you build your score is to stash away money to be used towards a down payment on the home you choose to purchase. In most cases, lenders want to see at least 20% of the home price put down by the borrower before the loan will be approved at a good interest rate. There are programs such as FHA loans that will allow for smaller down payments but the reality is that the more money you can put down up front, the less money you’ll have to finance. Smaller loan amounts mean you can likely pay off the loan in a faster period of time.

Establishing savings goals early can make achieving your down payment goals possible. You can save up smaller increments of cash over a longer period of time in order to achieve your goals. It is a less stressful way to build up a down payment for a home than to have to come up with larger lump sums closer to the mortgage approval time. Savings goals should be constructed realistically and be based on your income and other financial considerations. Some people like setting an amount from each paycheck aside, anywhere between 10 to 30 percent. The more time you plan to save, the more likely you are to achieve your down payment savings goals.

Between the work it takes to improve or repair bad credit and the amount of money you have time to save, there is a lot of work to be done before applying for one of the biggest loans of your lifetime. It is equally important to shop around for a lender that matches your financial needs and understands your financial matters. All of these steps take time to complete correctly but if done, can result in faster elimination of a home loan debt as well as better terms and conditions for the home loan itself.

Ed O’Brien is a seasoned writer in personal finance, specializing in credit repair. You can find more of his articles located at CreditRepair.org.

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My Car is in the Body Shop

by Kevin Surbaugh
(pics below) It has been a though week/week and a half. A week ago Tuesday while I was at work someone ran into my car. According to the witnesses and what I could see with my eyes (from the cars position) she hit my car so hard that she moved it (the back wheels were now in the parking stall behind it). I fought almost all of last week to get her insurance to pay. Finally late on Friday they admitted responsibility. Then this past Monday their body shop told me the estimate was $1600 and that was just from walking around the car. When they finally got it tore apart they found more damage and said it would be $2481. I hate to say this, but even though the insurance is paying I want a detailed list of the repairs that they did to my car.
I love the feel of the rental car (a red Chevy Aveo) but I will be so glad to get my car back. The body shop says by the end of this week or at the latest early next.

Here you can see my car is pretty dented from her hitting my car.

here you see the light is off kilter, the grill is messed up and some other damage not so noticeable in the first picture.

and this is her car - hardly a scratch on it. 

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Is Netflix Still a Frugal Option

by Kevin Surbaugh


Recently Netflix raised their rates which has angered a lot of their loyal customers. Many of whom have cancelled the service. I for one have not, although I am not to pleased that I don't have unlimited DVD's and streaming for about $10. Instead I now have unlimited streaming only for about $8.

What previously cost $9.99 (for most new users this was presented as $7.99 for streaming plus $2 for the DVD option) now cost $16. Compared to physically renting discs from Blockbuster this is still a bargain, and Netflix's catalog is still far superior to the chain-store. but the size of the price hike stunned customers. Netflix's growth has flattened, and the company admitted last week that it was revising subscriber numbers downwards. Shares have fallen 45 per cent.

But it's the breaking of the bundle that is hard to fathom. Netflix not only said it would be presenting its customers with two plans, it would separate the two businesses. This weekend CEO Reed Hastings issued a grovelling apology.

- The Register

"We lacked respect and humility in the way we announced the separation of DVD and streaming, and the price changes. That was certainly not our intent, and I offer my sincere apology," he wrote in his email to customers.

However, Hastings also announced that the strategy would continue unchanged. The DVD business will be renamed: Qwikster. Netflix and Qwikster sites aren't integrated, so if you can't find a movie to watch on streaming you have to search all over again for the DVD. If you rate a DVD, the rating will register on Qwikster, but not Netflix. And vice versa.

In his email he wrote it this way, Qwikster will be the same website and DVD service that everyone is used to. It is just a new name, and DVD members will go to qwikster.com to access their DVD queues and choose movies. One improvement we will make at launch is to add a video games upgrade option, similar to our upgrade option for Blu-ray, for those who want to rent Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 games. Members have been asking for video games for many years, but now that DVD by mail has its own team, we are finally getting it done. Other improvements will follow. A negative of the renaming and separation is that the Qwikster.com and Netflix.com websites will not be integrated.

While it does succeed in letting the investors know that Netflix is determined to make streaming its core business, the consequences of confusing and alienating customers may be high. What made Netflix feel attractive was price and choice - but also the bundle. If felt like a bargain. Now I am not so sure that it is really a bargain anymore. I have considered cancelling the service altogether for better picture quality on cable by upgrading that service. The problem is I would get to chose the movies I want to watch.

What do you think. Share your comments and/or discuss this topic on the forum.
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Videos: A Wisdom Steps Moment

A Wisdom Steps Moment with Kevin (Prince of Thrift) Surbaugh




and get ready to laugh with the Outtakes:





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Thank You Forex Binary Options

We would like to Thank Forex Binary Options for becoming a sponsor of this blog. Their trading system focuses on the Euro session and then focused on the NY session. Team up with some partners and trade both sessions and put your self in position for some serious potential mind blowing trading success. Check out their Forex Binary Options Strategy today.

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Reminder Free Prostate Screenings

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. For Men of 40 (like me) two free tests could be a life saving experience. That is why if you live in the Austin, TX area you should check out these FREE Prostate Cancer Screenings. Which include both the PSA blood test and rectal exam. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome.

1. September 10, 2011 St. David's North Austin Medical Center 12221 N. Mopac Expressway
   
2. September 17, 2011 St. David's Round Rock Medical Center 2400 Round Rock Ave.
   
3. September 17, 2011 St. David's South Austin Medical Center 901 W. Ben White Blvd.
   
4. September 24, 2011 St. David's Medical Center 919 E. 32nd Street
   
5. September 24, 2011 St. David's Georgetown Hospital 2000 Scenic Drive
   

All screenings will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call 888-868-2104 or 512-478-3627 to make an appointment --- go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think. follow me on Twitter and facebook

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Weed Through Credit Card Introductory Offers

 by Jason Collazo

When establishing a new credit card, don’t be blinded by introductory offers and extra rewards that deter you from the main goal of having a credit card, which is to borrow and pay money back in a timely fashion, so you can afford the fabled American dream.

Cash back credit cards that promise hundreds of frequent flyer miles and sign-up cash bonuses may suit your temporary needs, but in the long run, a card like that could leave you coming up short in the credit card world.

“Introductory offers are a dime a dozen. Don’t jump at the first one you see, because chances are that there is a better offer around the corner,” said a representative at Credit-Land.com.

In fact, signing up for many of these promotional cards and offers can have a negative affect on your credit score, especially if the new accounts are opened within a short amount of time. This is because credit card reporting bureaus check the ratio of credit you have used compared to your available credit. If there is a sharp increase in available credit, the credit reporting will become suspicious, and take it out on your credit score.

So it’s important to apply for credit cards that will progress your financial situation in the right direction.

If you have a large family, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred credit card may be a good fit. It’s good for a larger family because the card gives one of the highest cash-back rates in the credit card industry. With this card you can get up to six percent cash-back at supermarkets, three percent cash-back at department stores and gas stations, and one percent cash back on every other purchase made with the card.

Rewards could add up quickly if shopping for more than one in an economy experiencing rising food and gas prices. The card also offers a $100 sign-on bonus for cardholders new to American Express who spend over $500 in the first 90 days the card is issued.

One downside of the card is that it comes with an annual fee of $75. If this is too expensive, ask about the American Express Blue Cash Everyday card, which offers reduced cash-back benefits, but a non-existent annual fee. The Blue Cash Everyday card gives consumers’ three percent cash back on supermarket purchases, two percent cash back on department store and gas station purchases, and one percent cash back on everything else.

Decide which version of the card works best for you. Don’t disregard the annual fee, as it is possible that you could end up saving more money in the long run, in spite of the fee. To illustrate, if your family is on a $2,000 a month budget, you would earn back your annual fee in a little over a month. A family with a budget of this size could save over $1,200 a year on groceries; with the no fee card savings would only be about $620.

An important thing to keep in mind when you are going through your respective credit card applications these coming months, truly.

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The U.S. Economy According to Monopoly

I recently came across the youTube video below regarding the economy as told through Monopoly. Take a look.


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Announcing a New Feature to the Site

I would like to formally thank Amy for suggesting a new feature that we added this past week to the blog and website. It is hopped that the forum will encourage more reader participation and more discussion of topics that interest the readers. If you have not seen this new feature, check it out by clicking on the forum tab above or clicking here.
Currently there are four users that have registered and have posted or commented on 4 topics for a total of 6 posts at the time I wrote this post. I am expecting to see that number increase of course and expect to start to see more topics that are raised by other users.
Categories include:

Financial

Faith

Investing

Politics

2012 Republican Presidential Primary

General Board
The forum is designed to be a clean and family forum, and we are trusting the users to keep it that way. We do not want to ban anyone, but if we are forced to we will. So what do you think of the new forum? Have you checked it out yet?


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Wildfires in Texas

I have fielded phone calls (mainly from family) along with texts and emails from friends and readers of this blog asking if I am okay. If I am avoiding the wildfires here in the Austin area.

The conversation usually goes something like:

Friend: Hope you are not dodging fire.
Me: Just dodging them to go to work. Fire on both sides of the little town I work in.
Friend: Glad you are not in harms way. Litsen to the news and it sounds like the whole state is burning up.

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How To Handle Debt Following A Lay-Off

by Jason Collazo

You’ve had good credit for the last several years. You could charge anything with a head full of confidence. You never missed a payment and never were subject to a late penalty.

Now, you’ve been laid off or you have to deal with a substantial pay cut. The debt is still there, only before it was manageable. Now, it’s just unbearable.

We all don’t start out with horrible credit; life throws its curveballs and we are subject to its mercy. Watching your spotless credit morph into either mediocre or bad credit can be heart-wrenching. But fortunately for you, it doesn’t have to be that serious. There are ways to manage a shift in finances or a large upcoming credit card bill. Don’t be scared, look the debt straight in the eye, and follow a few of these guidelines.

Know What You Owe. You can’t play the game if you don’t know where you stand. Take some time out of your day and actually look at your credit card statements and how much money it will take to clear 10% above the minimum balance. Also, take note of the interest rate your paying and if any other unauthorized or miscellaneous fees pop up.

“You may find out that you owe less than you thought, or you may find out that owe more than you’re originally thought. Either way, it’s best to know your situation so you can proceed with caution,” said an analyst from Credit-Land.com, a leading credit card research web site.

Call a Time-Out On Your Credit Cards.  If you can’t afford to pay the bill, stop using them. Don’t lead yourself deeper into debt by continuing to use your credit card for payments that you can’t cover. You may have grown accustomed to using your gas card, but it’s smarter to not dig yourself into a financial hole, but rather to make good money decisions. A good money decision would be to use cash and debit until you find another job. Credit cards should be used in case of an emergency.

When you’re unemployed everything can seem like an emergency, but it’s important to differentiate what really constitutes an emergency, i.e. a nice dinner for two vs. a child in the hospital. Also, make sure to keep in contact with your credit card company. They have millions of clients, all going through the same thing; if you call and speak to them they might be able to offer you a break. "Don’t just pay, whether it's credit cards or your mortgage lender or the bank that has your car loan," the Credit-Land representative said.

"Establish a relationship, and it will help you and your debt.” 

Get Creative About Making Money. With garage sales, the websites eBay and Craigslist, you can sell your trash and get a few pieces of treasure in return.  Also, it may be in your best interest to get another job, restaurants are a good place to start if you are strapped for cash. Nightly tips can help keep the creditors from breathing down your neck. If working at a restaurant isn’t for you, maybe turn your hobby into an income. If you’re a musician, solicit clubs that pay for entertainment, if you like to bake, host a community bake sale. The possibilities are endless.

Getting laid-off is a real possibility in our economy. If you are subject to a lay-off, don’t neglect your debt. Analyze your situation and make a conscious effort to pay it off. It can be done!

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The Gender Wars Fumble On….Economically-Speaking

by Jason Collazo

This is the 23^rd month in a row now women’s employment has been at growth levels best described by one obnoxious term:  stagnant. 

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research, or IWPR, has measured this growth, or general lack of, in their updated fact sheet. Men are continuing to run laps around their female counterparts in any employment recovery whatsoever. This has been the sad case since the end of the “recession” in June 2009. 

The unemployment rate for males has only gone down 1 big percent:  10.6 percent to 9.6 percent. Meanwhile, the ladies are still scrambling to gain up on their boyish peers- 8.3 percent to 8.5 percent, not even a full percent. Yes, it’s still a move in the right direction, but not as strong as many feel it should be (this all based on reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics). 

So what does it boil down to? Why is there this alarming break between the sexes? Take, for example, that most teachers still tend to be female. So when state and local governments make cuts to their staffs, women are among the first to go. The IWPR’s analysis of this data from BLS, as reported by Marketwatch’s website, shows that the government detracted 450,000 jobs over the past year. Of those 450,000, 304,000 happened to be held by women.

Speaking out, Dr. Heidi Hartmann, a labor economist and the president of the IWPR, had this to say:  “according to our forthcoming report, women--- particularly single and married mothers--- are taking drastic steps to cut costs and make ends meet, such as skipping medical appointments, and not filling prescriptions, not buying things their children need, and not saving for retirement.”

Drastic and very much alarming measures, simply to maintain a thought-out budget. Women might find themselves falling back on the payment of their mortgages (if they are the lone breadwinner of their household) or neglecting paying off their credit cards. These are behaviors that, too, can have disastrous consequences, as well as the ones mentioned previously.

The recession that juts out in recent memory showed that men had 33 months of “nearly consecutive” job loss and women were paired with “only 23 months,” (as per Marketwatch article). With the exception of the hard-to-forget Great Depression of our forefathers (and mothers), there is nothing that compares to that size of job loss in history.

This latest avalanche of bad job news comes right as the president prepares his much-hyped speech to Congress regarding the status of job growth. The speech is set to kick off 7 p.m EST. There has been much speculation about what exactly will be going on in this speech, including word of $300 billion about to be put aside for “job growth.”

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Free Prostate Screenings

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. For Men of 40 (like me) two free tests could be a life saving experience. That is why if you live in the Austin, TX area you should check out these FREE Prostate Cancer Screenings. Which include both the PSA blood test and rectal exam. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome.

1. September 10, 2011 St. David's North Austin Medical Center 12221 N. Mopac Expressway
   
2. September 17, 2011 St. David's Round Rock Medical Center 2400 Round Rock Ave.
   
3. September 17, 2011 St. David's South Austin Medical Center 901 W. Ben White Blvd.
   
4. September 24, 2011 St. David's Medical Center 919 E. 32nd Street
   
5. September 24, 2011 St. David's Georgetown Hospital 2000 Scenic Drive
   

All screenings will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call 888-868-2104 or 512-478-3627 to make an appointment --- go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think. follow me on Twitter and facebook

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Free Bayer Aspirin

Bayer is giving away 2,000 free bottles of Bayer Aspirin each day. If they are out today you can enter your email address and they will send you a notice as soon as the next set of 2,000 bottles are available. This is a great freebie and you know that Bayer is a good product because it is the official pain reliever of the MLB.


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Free John Frieda Hair Coloring Sample

Here is a sample I know my wife would love. John Frieda has free samples of the Precision Foam Hair Coloring that they are giving away to those interested. This is the first premium foam hair coloring on the market. The hair coloring is also a John Frieda product so you know it is salon quality. Hurry though these tend to go very fast!


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Free Waffle at Waffle House

How would you like a free breakfast? Print this coupon for a free waffle at your local Waffle House. These are great waffles that you are sure to love. You must dine in to get your free waffle. You must use this great coupon before Sept. 30, 2011 to get your waffle. So what are you waiting for? Stop in and enjoy today.


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Free Miracle Whip

Miracle Whip is giving away two free samples of their mayonnaise substitute. It kinda tastes like mayonnaise but not really. However, it is really good on a sandwich and has half the fat. So, for a change you can put this on your sandwich and not feel near as guilty. Click the Free Sample button at the top of the page to request your two free packets of Miracle Whip. (Limit 1 offer per person...Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.)


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Square Being Embraced By Squares

by Jason Collazo

The electronic mobile payment service Square has gone disturbingly mainstream. A nationwide map of usage on the website theatlantic.com shows that every major city across America is rife with Square users and that there are many scattered throughout the less densely populated areas in between. The company was the recent recipient of a $100 million venture investment.

So it would seem that Square has moves from beyond the hands of the hip. Shortly after it debut in early 2010, Square could only be seen in use by savvy tech geeks. Now things have changed, and the handy, easy to use mobile payment service has is now a handy payment accepting tool for a multitude of different types of people. Compatible with iPhones, iPod Touchs, iPads or Android based mobile phones, Squares card reader or “dongle” plugs right into a users audio jack. That and the downloadable application are both free via Square’s website. In turn, Square takes 2.75% of every transaction it’s used to facilitate as a fee.

The Atlantic senior editor, Alexis Madrigal, contacted several individuals that are currently using Square as a means of accepting payment to find out how they feel about the mobile payment device. Here is what two of said

Kais Davis of Eugene said he used Square for "rent, settling debts with roommates, poker tournaments, selling collectables, craigslist."

Cincinnati cabbie, Aziz Mabyae said that his entire cab fleet converted to Square at the request of the company's owner. After four months of use, he loves the device. "It's a lot quicker and easier," Mabyae said. He also noted that relative to their old way of accepting credit cards, it seems more secure for passengers."

The classic POS credit card terminal set up tends to come with a lot of fees up-front, but on the bank end the per-transaction fee percentages are typically smaller than Square’s 2.75% cut. That may lead to big business balking at overhauling their current set up in favor of implementing Square.

As Square tells it, however, conventional credit card processors often have hidden costs attached to them that may or may not be disclosed to customers. They claim that on average, merchants would find their costs to be lower, on average, than the costs associated with conventional credit card processors.

Although being brought on board by big businesses wouldn’t be a bad thing, courting larger companies doesn’t exactly seem to be what Square is all about. It’s practically non-existent costs combined with its awesome mobility and inexpensive per-transaction fee, Square sets up individuals and small merchants to be able to accept plastic for payments who may have, before now, never dreamed of the day they’d be credit card compatible. Crafters, cat sitters, cupcake makers, cleaning ladies…with Square, the possibilities are now endless.

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Free Toliet Roll Holder from Charmin

First Cottonelle who was (is) giving away the TP covers and now Charmin is giving away a free toilet paper extender holder. This will allow the ultra big rolls to fit anywhere. This can help you save by allowing you to purchase the Mega Rolls for your house. Availability is limited, so sign up now to receive your Charmin Extender toilet paper holder. Offer is limited to one per household.




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Steps To Take Before Opening A Credit Card

by Jason Collazo

So you’ve been getting offer after offer after offer in the mail. And you’ve decided to give in to those credit card companies that keep hounding you and open up a new account. Before you go ahead and open that new account, take a few moments to think over the possibilities awaiting you and also to compare credit cards properly. Credit cards are as diverse as ever  and it pays to know what each one offers you before filling out your credit card applications.

Can a credit score have health? Yes, so examine your credit score and see how it stacks up. The types of deals you are able to get, remember, are dependent on this vital piece of information, that one handy number.

Go back in time and see your transactions history. Have you been making your payments on time? You can’t change anything at this point, but it’s extremely helpful to know what your track record is like.

If you have a lot of inquiries on your account, be aware that it may be tricky for you to find a low interest credit card. Card issuers can get wary, if they see repeated inquiries.

It was a nice gesture at the time, sure. But you may pay the price if you decided to help out a financially unfortunate friend or family member. And if they haven’t been keeping up their payments as expected, you could be the one suffering.

Evaluate your spending habits and when you tend to pull out the plastic. You may want to take a break on making credit card purchases before you go ahead and apply for your new account. If an issuer thinks you are overusing your card, than it will be much more challenging for you to get a better account.

Be aware that most lenders know open references are subprime account. That is, any of the following:  high rate credit cards, secured cards, or other loans. The credit lender is almost like Big Brother in this sense:  they also know that you are paying high interest rates as well as any former credit or financial problems that may have befallen you. Credit lenders are just as wary in these scenarios and you might not even know that you have a “subprime account.” And when applying for a credit card through a store, always ask a store about the lender they use for their store credit cards. A lot of these count as subprime, too.

Inconsistencies in employment will make the credit lenders even more squeamish, as they are left to wonder about your overall income status, and therefore, your ability to repay your balance to them adequately.

Historically good payments are a nice 15% of your respective credit score. So don’t be too brash when it comes to closing accounts. Because as they vanish, your score WILL go down. Your “debt utilization” will then be affected, because you no longer have access to that once-good, now-destroyed credit.

This equation exists:  in order to get credit, you must have credit. If you are one of those people that prefer cash, you may be putting yourself at risk when it comes to opening up a new account. Keep a credit card around for emergencies and use it on small, safe purchases, just so you can keep your credit alive.  

No one is perfect and such as that, credit reports can often be riddled with mistakes. To avoid this catastrophe, carefully check your credit report at least once per year.

With these entire steps take into account, you should be ready to open a new credit account. Compare credit cards and know what you are in for with each variation out there.

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