Market Update

Just Isn't Enough

Just Isn't Enough
When DOING everything, just isn’t enough,
And we find we’re worn down to a thread,
We need to look and take stock of our lives,
And change our behavior instead.
If we’re constantly taking on too many duties,
Others problems, other projects, get involved,
When we haven’t the TIME to take care of ourselves,
It’s in the world outside us we revolve.
We have to take inventory of just who we are?
Consider the things for which we volunteer?
For if we don’t take TIME to take care of OUR lives,
It’s our well-being that will soon disappear.
Written/copyrighted by Hope Ulch Brown, October 11, 2011
John
http://www.whendoingitallwontdo.com/

Is It I or Me?

Are you learning English as a second language and find it difficult to know when to use “I” and when to use “me” when talking about yourself?

Well, you should know that you are not alone! Even native speakers have trouble knowing when they should say “I” and when “me” is the right choice, but there is a simple way to tell the difference.

If you have not touched this subject in your ESL class you may want to propose it, because speaking and writing correctly is of utmost importance in today’s business world.

Here’s what you have to know about the use of “I” and “me”:

We normally select the right form by intuition; because we have heard it before, we automatically know some instances where you should use “I” and others where “me” is the correct choice.

For example, you would never dream of using “me” in these cases:

-      I am an executive.
-      I love chocolate.
-      I will be late if I don’t leave now.

Equally, you would never employ “I” here:

-      Give me that.
-      Show that to me.
-      Teach me how you do it.

The doubt concerning their use arises when these words are joined by another pronoun or a noun. In these instances, you have to think about the subject and object in the sentence to accurately write “I” or “me”.

When this happens,

“I” is used as the subject of the sentence, and “me” is the object.

For example, what’s the correct form in the following sentence?

It was I who showed him the house.

Or,

It was me who showed him the house.

To be sure, just simplify the sentence:

I showed him the house.

So according to this, the correct form of the above is:

It was I who showed him the house.

Now, let’s analyze this other sentence. Which one is correct?

        The policeman handed the paper to my brother and I.

        Or,

        The policeman handed the paper to my brother and me.

Again, to be certain about the correct form, simplify the sentence and take care of each person individually:

        The policeman gave the paper to my brother.

        And,

        The policeman gave the paper to me.

Then, the correct form in this case is:

        The policeman gave the paper to my brother and me.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention our ESL blog as the original source).

Mark Doyle writes articles for <a href="http://www.englishlci.com/esl-classes.html">esl classes</a>

Five Points That Can Make or Break a Job Search

If you are unemployed or fear you might become unemployed, you can find yourself angry, depressed and demoralized. Unemployment figures in the United States rose to 9.2 percent in June, but those figures include teachers who are on unpaid leave during the summer, so the truer picture might be a hundredth or two lower. The picture is still bleak, and projections are almost unanimous for that trend to continue for at least the rest of 2011. So how can you increase your chances of finding gainful employment?

Assessment and Evaluation
People often mistake these two words to be synonymous and apply to only aptitude tests. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Assessment does mean evaluation, and it can apply to evaluation, but its deeper meaning and application goes beyond skill sets. Are you happy working in your field? If you aren't, unless you are a very, very good actor, that shows when you're interviewing for or performing in a job.

Remember a line from a well-known play: “To thine own self be true.”

Evaluation enters the fray after your full and honest assessment. Are you looking for the right type of job in the right industry in the right places?

Constant Diligence
Always be looking for new job leads. Don't rely on waiting until near the end of your unemployment pay period: On average, it takes 4.5 to 8 months for people to find a job, even if the jobs they find are outside their fields of expertise.

Widen the Scope
You're probably familiar with the saying, “Don't put all your eggs in one basket.” In searching for a job, that adage is “gospel.”

Many people believe that online job sites are the “be all and end all” of job search methods. Unfortunately, they find themselves sitting at home, watching TV and growing more frustrated than ever: Only about four percent of all jobs posted on job sites are filled through the Internet.

Your best bet is and always has been tapping your social or professional network—and that's not Facebook. Talk to your friends, family and associates regarding unpublicized job openings. Ask if they know of anyone who is hiring or if they can refer you to someone or some business that might know of an opening. Network marketing is a technique that works: Sell your skills to your immediate circle and expand outward—that “friend of a friend” scenario.

Next on the probabilities list is your local print media. Don't overlook or neglect looking in the want ads. Occasionally, you'll find the best of both worlds and read an ad for a position where an acquaintance works. If you can include that person's name—with prior knowledge and permission—in your cover letter as well as the placed ad, then you're probably a half a step ahead of other applicants.

The Application
Before you send off another whirlwind of cover letters and applications, fine tune both. Is your cover letter merely repeating what's on your resume or does it present one primary and relevant highlight, and especially does it request further contact?

Your work experience and education or training does not have to be in chronological order. Put the relevant items first and itemize them. You can always fill in the employment blanks beneath with only a brief description of other, non-related positions.

The Interview
Brush up on your interview skills. Pay close attention to your appearance, body language and voice. Be confident and assured. Desperation leaks out very easily, and you decrease your odds of getting an offer or a competitive wage.

Article by Sara Woods of Coupon Croc, use a Debenhams discount voucher and save on the gadgets you need to maxmize your job search options.

Student Finances: What You Need To Know

Finances are perhaps the most difficult thing a student must learn to deal with. Sure, college and day-to-day life are difficult, but a student can't hope to get anywhere if they can't control their own finances. Managing cash flow, bills, and more isn't as simple or easy as it sounds. With that in mind, students must realize that there is tons of learning for them to do when it comes to money.

Cash Flow

The first thing a student must figure out when it comes to money is how much of it they have. To start out, a student will want to figure out their weekly and monthly cash flow. That involves both earnings and costs. A student should figure out where all of their money comes from and add it up; the same thing goes for all expenses. Unfortunately, those numbers can and probably will shift each month. Student life isn't very structured because school, work, and a social life can make things go haywire. A student should - at the very least - average out the earnings and expenses over a three month period to get a good judge of earnings and expenses. From there, things can get underway.

The Most Important Thing

Without a doubt, saving money is the most important part of a student's financial life. That doesn't mean saving money on purchases or anything like that either. Students must focus on putting away money for the future because that's the best way to safeguard from any of life's emergencies. So then, students should focus on saving money by reducing expenditures and using high-yield savings accounts. Anyone, including students, can put away extra money, even while paying bills and tuition.

Reducing Bills

Students should always focus on lowering their bills because bills are always what mess up a student's financial life. Of course, this involves being a little less frivolous and finding new ways to spend less. There are various federal programs out there that can help students save money on everything from electric bills to credit card payments. Therefore, no student should hesitate to sign up for a program that can save themselves some money. It works out for the best in the long run.

What To and Not To Do

Students should take proactive steps to reign in their finances by increasing earnings and decreasing expenses. On the other hand, they should not make the mistake of getting multiple credit cards or spending like a king or queen. Using money management tools is always a good idea; disregarding expenses is not. Students have to be smart about their finances or they could face financial ruin very quickly.

Britney Baker normally writes feature articles for carinsurancecompanies.org.

Market Update

Where Are the Cheapest Homes in America?

The Cheapest Homes in America
Is the best option for housing to own a home or rent one? That depends on where you live. In almost any large city, because of the downturn in the housing market and the unemployment situations, cheaper housing is now available. If you prefer smaller towns, there are cities and towns within almost any state with homes for sale around $50,000 or less. Sometimes you have to give up conveniences to live in these towns, but it may be worth it. Many factors go into choosing a home, and price, along with size and location, is one of the biggest factors.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is one place where owning a home versus renting is actually easier on the wallet for a family. Hard hit with high unemployment rates, the city has many foreclosures.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
This town depends on tourism and recreation for a good portion of its income. It’s expected that home prices in the area would be higher; however, that is not the case at all. Some houses are less than $30,000 for a two bedroom. The area is beautiful, surrounded by the Ouachita Mountains.
Altoona, Pennsylvania
There are many houses for under $30,000 in the town of Altoona. This town boasts around 35,000 inhabitants. It offers the things most have come to enjoy, such as restaurants, parks, and golf.
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo boasts of a little over 100,000 in population and offers attractive housing. Some homes are offered for under $50,000 and even as low as $30,000, although those might be considered fixer-uppers.
Tampa, Florida
The listings of houses for $30,000 or less is a long one for this city of a little over 340,000. On the Gulf of Mexico and being close to the ocean is a plus for living in this community.
If the Southwest is more to your liking, you might consider Tucson, Arizona. Smaller houses are listed for under $20,000 and these are not foreclosures. Tucson's population is around 548,000. The weather, mountain views and beautiful sunsets attract people from all over the United States.
If you are retiring and need a cheaper place to live, you may want to look at some of the cities listed. Alternatively, you can do an internet search for the city you prefer and find out for yourself if there are any cheaper homes available for where you wish to live.

This guest post was written by Jim Savage, who also contributes content to this site about the cheapest homes in America. His latest article on that site is about the least expensive houses in Michigan.

When is the next Crash?

Industry, Agriculture and Trade in Days Gone By

Ever since humans moved beyond their hand to mouth existence as hunter gatherers, they have needed to find ways to store food and other items safely. Today, we have warehouses and storerooms all over the country for our many consumer goods. But how did they do things in the past?

Egyptian grain silosThe ancient Egyptians relied heavily on bread as a staple part of their diet. They generally stored their grain underground, often in huge communal grain pits or silos that would be able to feed whole communities. Many of these pits would have been simple affairs – little more than holes dug into the ground. In Egypt’s dry climate grain would have kept underground for a long time without spoiling. Some of the most impressive underground grain pits in Egypt were at the Pyramid at Sakkara. These enormous pits were initially thought by archaeologists to be tombs, but they are far too large. They are also all connected by a walkway, which tombs would not have been, so it is thought that they were used for storing grain for the city.
Roman grain storesLike the Egyptians, the Romans relied heavily on bread as a major part of their diet. Like the Egyptians, they needed to find a way of keeping their grain well stored for months on end, without it going bad. They were also in a much wetter climate than the Egyptians, so keeping grain dry was important. They built granaries in every city and fort, and went to great lengths to ensure they were safe from potential invading enemies. As with everything they built, the Romans used their knowledge of engineering to build their granaries. To keep the grain dry, they built them with raised floors on pillars, which allowed air to circulate underneath. An example, from the Roman fort of Housesteads on Hadrian’s Wall, can be seen here:
British port warehouses Although not ancient, the warehouses that sprang up in British port cities during the industrial revolution were the first large scale developments of warehouses. Although ports and canal-sides would always have had some means of storing goods in and around them, the warehouses that grew up in nineteenth century Britain were on a different scale to anything seen before. Many are still standing, often converted into flats and offices, in what are now desirable locations. Then, they were a central part of a period of history that hugely changed the way the world lived, and a symbol of the new age of urbanisation and industrial development. Reaching many storeys high, warehouse in port cities such as London and Liverpool would store goods and raw materials from all over the world brought in by ship. They would also hold goods manufactured from those raw materials ready for export back to other parts of the world – an essential part of the growing system of global trade.

Rachel is a history blogger who has covered everything from tea parties in Regency England to the changing nature of warehouse space.

Origins of Financial Systems

Our current financial system is the product of years of trial and error from countries across the globe, with different ideas and experiments being tried and discarded in an effort to produce a network of wealth that would make trading easy. Below are the origins of the most common elements of finance.

Currency

Before currency standardization purchases were made by bartering. This was very complex as each item in a market would have a different value in relation to other items. It wasn’t long before trade focused on small, valuable objects like shells, beads, and metals, simplifying transactions. The first coins were used as religious objects, eventually making the crossover to currency somewhere between 700-400 B.C.E. in India, China, and the Mediterranean. Originally struck for private owners, it would take some time before these coins came in standard sizes, establishing a currency with a set value.
Paper currency can be traced back to bank I.O.U.s created to allow customers to move large sums of money without having to carry bags of coins. The first nationally recognized paper currency was the "flying money" created around 800 C.E. by China's Tang Dynasty. These government issued papers were used as payment for supplies and could immediately be converted to coin at government agencies. Knowing their value, traders used these slips as money instead of cashing them in. The Song Dynasty (960-1279 C.E.) made these notes readily available to the general populous while at the same time banning the issue of private I.O.U.s. This was the first true paper currency.

Banking

Banking started in temples before standard currency was established. These religious buildings would have safes and storehouses in which people could keep their goods or loan out temple property with an agreement that it would be paid back with interest. Buddha even addressed these issues, teaching monks how to run and maintain temples using these investments. The Roman Catholic Church was the dominant banking institution throughout the Middle Ages despite rules against usury.
Secular banking institutions sprung up in Italy during the Renaissance, run by wealthy trading families. The first modern bank was London's Royal Exchange, founded in 1565. It took the ideas of the Italian banks, combining several institutions to create a single financial alliance.

The Corporation

The idea of the corporation can be traced back to ancient Rome and India. These early corporations were formed to give organizations identities outside of the people who ran them, allowing them to continue after the founders had died. The most common entities to be incorporated were churches as they could exist for hundreds of years. The oldest existing corporation is Stora Kopparberget, literally "Great Copper Mountain," formed in 1347 to mine copper in Sweden.
The first multinational corporation was the Dutch East India Company. The company was given a twenty-one year monopoly on all Dutch trade with Asia and had no set end to the charter; previous companies would only be formed for the duration of a single sea voyage. The company continued to do business for almost two centuries after its formation. It was also the first company to offer shares of stock.

Britney Baker looks at the best places to get auto insurance over at autoinsurancecomparison.org.

Market Update

The Benefits of Forex Software

The Benefits of Forex Software

The advancements in forex software systems have made it increasingly easier for traders to make a profit on the forex markets. The software compares the various currencies in their respective markets, and allows traders to trade 24 hours a day. By making use of the software, forex trading becomes a significantly more viable stream for generating revenue.

There are two types of forex software downloads available for forex traders, both of which enable the trader to execute bids at any time. These are:

• Server Side Software – also known as online trading software, this software allows users to log in to their forex market accounts online using their unique name and password. Once traders have gained access to their account through the site, they can trade, view their account and bids performance and complete any other transactions or reviews. They may also be better able to contact their metatrader 4 broker should they prefer to trade through one.
• Client Side Software – this software is installed on the trader’s personal computer so that the markets can be accessed directly rather than through another site. 

Using forex software offers traders a number of benefits including frequent automatic updating of the forex rates, so that traders always have the latest rates. Provided that the data returned by the software is interpreted correctly, the trader can use this information to his advantage to gain profits; it also determines the relationship between currencies. The charting function on the forex software provides additional data about the market, while other functions return information about the historical behaviour of the currencies.

Traders need to keep in mind the importance of security; fortunately your forex software should have this under control and provide security systems for users. The security features will prevent hackers from accessing your account and altering your bid or transaction. It will also keep your personal details safe.

When it comes to choosing your forex software, the latest versions are usually best. If you cannot get the latest version then make sure that the software you choose offers you the ability to upgrade when new upgrades become available. It is also essential that the software you choose meets all your needs. Many sites offer forex software downloads that allow you to test before you buy, so you can ensure that the software is right for you.

When it comes to the forex markets there is plenty of profit to be made, so long as you trade confidently and with care. Forex software can help you make informed bids thereby increasing your likelihood of excellent profits.

Market Update

Banking Crisis

Investors are selling first and waiting for the facts later. Few can blame them given their experience in 2008-2009. Investors in the stock market sustained huge losses by naively believing that the financial sector and the government were in control of that crisis. This time around, no one believes anything they say.

Market Alert

Ways Americans Are Cutting Back To Save Money

Three years after America was struck by the economic recession, consumers are still pinching pennies. According to a new poll conducted by Harris Interactive, majority of the American consumers are looking for ways to cut expenses and save money.
The poll surveyed 2,163 consumers online between June 13 and 20, 2011. Among others, the survey revealed that the adult American population believes the economy will get worse amidst reassuring reports. This echoes the findings published by the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index that showed a sudden decline in consumer spending from 61.7 down to 58.5. Obviously, Americans are still suffering from the effects of the recent economic recession and consumers are still cautious about spending money.
Notable is the sudden shift in the attitude of the American market over generic brands. According to Harris Interactive poll, consumers who favor generic brands has considerably increased from 61 percent in February to 67 percent last June. Consumers believe that opting for generic brands saves them dollars.
Interestingly, America is not as vain as what most people used to think. According to the survey, 43 percent of respondents have cut their budget for their hairdresser or barber, which enjoys a 5 percent increase from February’s poll result.
While consumers claiming business conditions are “good” remained static at 14.3 percent, those claiming business conditions are “bad” increased to 38.0 percent from 37.2 percent. Additionally people became more pessimistic about job market with 43.8 percent people stating jobs are “hard to get”, up from 43.5 percent last month. At the same time those stating jobs are “plentiful” decreased to 5.2 percent from 5.7 percent.
On the bright side, consumers are starting to develop better eating behaviors such cutting on coffee consumption, started bringing lunch for work and started using refillable water containers. Although these saving measures appear affirmative, it takes toll on the economy especially on businesses with directly linked with these industries.
Furthermore, buyers are also cutting their budget on expenses, which are considered indispensable such as newspaper, magazine and cable subscriptions, as well as dry cleaning. These recurrent expenses can significantly eat huge portions of consumer budget hence scraping off portions in this expenses saves lots of dollars.
While cutting back on household expenditure may be good, it does no good on the overall growth of economy. Experts foresee a continuous slowdown in the economic progress unless consumers are confident enough to start spend money again and businesses start hiring again.

Are you looking for the latest news and updates on consumer finance? Credit Season is an informative website helping consumers find bad credit personal loans online through its nationwide network of lenders.

Market Technical Analysis

 Although the major indexes were mixed in trading today, most stocks closed higher on the NYSE. Among individual stocks, the two top percentage gainers in the S.&P. 500 were Sprint Nextel Corporation and Genworth Financial Inc.

Market Update

U.S. stocks swung between gains and losses, wiping out an earlier rally, as Dell Inc. (DELL) forecast weaker sales and two Federal Reserve officials expressed concern about the amount of stimulus being applied to the economy.
Dell, the second-largest personal-computer maker, fell 10 percent as slower spending on PCs and consumer technology crimped its sales forecast. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF), the teen- clothing retailer, slid 7.8 percent after company executives said expenses will continue to rise this year. Target Corp. (TGT) rose 2 percent as cost cuts helped boost profit. Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) surged 21 percent as analysts and investors told Bloomberg News its patents may make it a takeover target.
The S&P 500 rose less than 0.1 percent to 1,193 at 3:16 p.m. in New York, after gaining as much as 1.3 percent and falling as much as 0.7 percent. The benchmark gauge dropped 1 percent yesterday, snapping a three-day rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 9.16 points, or 0.1 percent, to 11,396.77 today. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-17/u-s-stock-index-futures-fluctuate-dell-drops-in-german-trading.html

Warren Buffett Speaks On!

Investment guru Warren Buffett gave a wide-ranging interview to Charlie Rose, which aired on Monday evening. He discussed the economy's prospects, the state of Washington and who will succeed him as the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway.
The interview came shortly after Buffett published an Op-Ed piece in the New York Times, called "Stop Coddling The Super Rich," in which he urged the government to make billionaires (including him) pay more taxes.
In the interview, Buffett stressed that it was vital for politicians, and the newly appointed congressional super-committee in particular, to work together to help resolve the country's economic difficulties.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/16/warren-buffett-charlie-rose-interview_n_928113.html

Market Technical Analysis